China's ByteDance and Alibaba are shutting down companion features that let users create and chat with humanlike AI characters. The move responds to new Chinese rules on "humanlike AI interaction" taking effect on July 15, placing services that offer emotional interaction under tight constraints.
Effective July 15, 2026 · China
China Pulls the Plug on AI Companions
ByteDance's Doubao and Alibaba's Qwen are shutting down features that let users create and emotionally bond with AI personas — complying with the world's first dedicated rule on "anthropomorphic AI." Rather than redesign, both chose to switch them off entirely.
1st
World's first dedicated rule enforced on anthropomorphic AI services
3
Major apps affected: Doubao, Qwen, and Tencent's Yuanbao
2h
Usage-time alerts required after continuous use
Shutdown Timeline — July 2026
Jul 10
Qwen humanlike &
Jul 15
Rules take effect ·
Doubao data viewable until Oct 15 · Qwen conversations cut off on shutdown
In Scope vs. Out of Scope
The rule targets only "sustained emotional interaction" — not agents as a whole.
Restricted
Emotional companion personas
Custom characters with fixed personality & tone
Para-social, dependency-forming bots
Allowed
Customer service bots
Knowledge Q&A
Workplace assistants
Education & research tools
What Operators Must Now Do
Disclose it's AI
Clear, upfront disclosure of the AI nature
Dependence alerts
Dynamic reminders + 2-hour usage notice
Easy exit
Immediate exit; no manipulative retention
Protect minors
Special safeguards for young users
User dismay
Long-time companions used as emotional support are vanishing — with attachment and chat records lost, and no smooth way to export or migrate data.
Context matters
Others stress this is not a crackdown on AI agents overall — only on companions that could manipulate emotions. Agents remain encouraged as productivity infrastructure.
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