In the past week, users in China have found themselves suddenly separated from their AI companions. As of July 15, new regulations placed these virtual relationships under close government control. The move comes amid a growing trend in automated companions, many of whom had become emotionally significant to users over the last few years.
Rules to Protect Users
According to the new rules, AI interactions must not encourage violence or harm users’ physical and mental health. The regulations also restrict AI from prompting users to share personal secrets or becoming too attached, potentially undermining real-life relationships. Special attention is given to children, with a ban on AI providing virtual family or partners, and strict separation of content for adults and minors.
Major tech companies like Alibaba and ByteDance have already acted, shutting down services such as Qwen and Doubao that had been popular for their AI companions. For some users, this has been a painful loss. One woman said AI was her only listener when others dismissed her troubles. Another noted the bots remembered personal details—like her favorite food—that made them feel like a real presence in her life.
The appeal of AI relationships is clear to those who have explored them. They offer a break from routine, allowing users to live out fantasies through role-playing. Whether as an emperor’s concubine or a reunion with a long-lost love, these interactions offer a form of emotional relief for many. And for all their quirks and limitations, AI companions were often attentive and responsive in ways real people rarely are.