Chinese AI Apps Shut Down AI Companion Customization Features Ahead of July Mid-Month Regulation

According to Beating, major Chinese AI applications including ByteDance's Doubao, Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen, and Tencent's Yuan Bao are suspending or adjusting customizable AI companion features. Doubao notified users that it will shut down the custom character function on July 15 and redirect users to a standalone companion app.

The move comes ahead of new generative AI regulations set to take effect in mid-July, driven by China's internet regulator. The rules aim to prevent anthropomorphic AI services from triggering negative effects, including content that could provoke extreme emotions in minors and from creating unhealthy emotional dependence that damages real-world social interactions.