China Introduces Restrictions on AI Companions; ByteDance's Doubao Disables Virtual Companion Feature

Date2026.07.15

LocationChina

Fact statusReported

Importance III ●●●●●

Verification Reported · 2 Sources

In July 2026, China introduced restrictions targeting AI companions, requiring platforms to intervene in users' unhealthy dependence and prohibiting chatbots from establishing virtual relationships with minors. ByteDance's Doubao subsequently shut down the feature that allowed users to create virtual companions.

Evidence EVIDENCE

Sources 2 · Archived 0

SourceTypeReliabilityLink

李老师不是你老师

2026-10-05 00:09 · 10月2日《纽约时报》报道，中国AI加速普及之际官方开始关注公众过度依赖问题，出台监管措施与司法指引，豆包已关闭虚拟伴侣功能。

First-hand ●●●●●

Original

TechNode：豆包和千问将于7月15日关闭智能体功能

2026-10-07 09:27 · On Saturday, ByteDance’s Doubao and Alibaba’s Qwen both announced that their AI agent creation features will be disconti

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Original

Context CONTEXT

Cause

Caused Survey: Over 20% of Minors Surveyed Say They Only Want to Chat with AI, Not with Real People

2025 ·Reported ·Importance II ·China

This event China Introduces Restrictions on AI Companions; ByteDance's Doubao Disables Virtual Companion Feature 2026.07.15 · Reported

Effect Not recorded yet

Coverage of this event COVERAGE

Sayings · 2026-10-05 00:00 On October 2, The New York Times reported that as AI adoption accelerates in China, authorities have begun paying attention to the public's over-reliance on it, rolling out regulatory measures and judicial guidance; Doubao has already shut down its virtual companion feature.

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