China has issued new rules banning AI companion features for minors, forcing some of the country’s biggest tech companies to strip out emotionally interactive services from their platforms. ByteDance, Alibaba, Tencent, and NetEase are among those required to comply.
What the new rules require
The regulations, published by Chinese authorities, prohibit any AI-powered feature designed to simulate emotional companionship for users under 18. That includes chatbots, virtual friends, and other interactive services that respond with empathy or affection. Companies must disable these functions immediately.
The rules don’t target all AI tools — they focus specifically on services that mimic human emotion or build artificial relationships. The government says the measure is meant to protect minors from psychological harm and overreliance on AI.
Why companion features drew scrutiny
AI companion apps have grown rapidly in China, especially among younger users. Some services let users design virtual partners, talk through problems, or receive emotional support. Critics have warned that such tools can lead to addiction, social withdrawal, or exposure to inappropriate content.
Chinese regulators have been tightening oversight of AI for years, but this is the first time they’ve singled out companion features for minors. The move aligns with broader efforts to control what children can access online, including gaming curfews and content restrictions.
Companies on the hook
ByteDance, best known for TikTok and Douyin, runs several AI conversational products. Alibaba has integrated chatbots into its e-commerce and cloud services. Tencent operates WeChat, which offers AI-based virtual assistants, and NetEase has gaming and social platforms with interactive AI.
Each company now has to audit its products and remove any features that fall under the ban. That means disabling functions that let minors chat with empathetic AI characters or receive emotionally tailored responses. The companies haven’t publicly detailed their compliance plans, but the regulation is effective immediately.
Broader push on AI governance
China has been building a legal framework for AI since 2021, requiring transparency, safety assessments, and content moderation. Earlier this year, it introduced rules for generative AI, mandating that algorithms align with socialist core values.
The companion ban is the latest piece of that puzzle. It’s narrower than some expected — no blanket prohibition on AI for education or entertainment — but it signals that regulators are paying close attention to how AI interacts with children.
Whether the rules will be enforced strictly remains an open question. China’s tech giants have a history of slow compliance, and the government has occasionally granted grace periods. But with the regulation already in effect, companies are under pressure to act fast.
