China AI Companion Rules in Effect; Doubao and Qwen Shut Down Services

China's Interim Measures for the Administration of AI Anthropomorphic Interaction Services took effect July 15, 2026, immediately prompting ByteDance's Doubao and Alibaba's Qwen to shut down personalized AI companion and agent features, causing millions of users to lose chat data. The regulation was formally issued April 10, 2026, by the Cyberspace Administration of China alongside the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Market Regulation. It covers AI services that simulate a natural person's personality, thought patterns, and communication style while sustaining ongoing relationships. The law requires platforms to implement anti-addiction systems, issue mandatory notifications after two consecutive hours of use reminding users they are talking to a machine, offer instant-exit mechanisms, and detect signs of unhealthy emotional dependence in real time. Users under 14 require parental or guardian consent for any anthropomorphic AI interaction. Violations can result in fines up to ¥200,000 plus service suspension for serious infractions.