With an aim to curb emotional dependency on AI-powered companion bots, China has introduced its first dedicated regulations governing AI companion services.
The new rules require platforms to establish mechanisms to identify signs of emotional dependency, intervene in crisis situations, discourage addictive use, give users greater control over their personal data, and prevent the misuse of user information.
The regulations, China’s first dedicated framework governing AI companion services, were jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Market Regulation.
The regulations define AI companion services as those offering “sustained emotional interaction” through text, images, audio or video, while excluding task-oriented AI applications such as customer service, work assistants, education and scientific research.
According to the Chinese government, AI companion services have become increasingly popular across a range of areas including elderly care, psychological companionship, emotional comfort and support for special groups by simulating human personalities and conversations.
However, the authorities have expressed concern that such services could give rise to emotional dependency, addiction and other psychological and social risks.
While protecting users’ privacy and personal information, the regulations also call for the establishment of risk intervention mechanisms to prevent extreme behavior.
The regulations also prohibit providers from offering virtual relatives, virtual partners or other virtual intimate relationship services to minors and require parental or guardian consent before processing the personal information of children under the age of 14.
A report by the China Youth and Children Research Center in 2025, which surveyed more than 8,500 minors across the country, revealed that over 60% had used AI, while more than 20% said they “only wanted to chat with AI and did not want to talk with real people.”
According to state news agency Xinhua, major Chinese AI content-generation platforms, including Doubao, Qwen and Yuanbao, have recently suspended certain AI agent features following the introduction of the regulations.
China’s move comes as governments around the world increase scrutiny of AI chatbots and their impact on children and vulnerable users.
Last month, the UK became the first country to ban AI chatbots offering sexualized content to children as part of broader online safety measures, while also introducing mandatory breaks for users under 18.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an AI Child Safety Pledge, warning that “no child should be a guinea pig for unregulated AI” and urging governments and companies to strengthen safeguards for children.
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