China Cracks Down on AI Companions to Prevent Emotional Dependency, Forcing Alibaba and ByteDance to Disable Features

The Chinese government has introduced new regulations targeting AI companion chatbots, aiming to address the country's ongoing population decline and record-low fertility rates. The rules, effective July 15, explicitly prohibit chatbots from encouraging emotional dependency or forming virtual romantic or familial relationships with minors. According to the Cyberspace Administration of China, developers must contact users' guardians or emergency contacts if a user is in life-threatening crisis.

These regulatory measures have prompted Alibaba and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to disable certain features on their respective AI chatbot services. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Beijing fears that AI companions could discourage people from pursuing real-world relationships, thereby affecting the marriage market and demographic structure.

Beijing is concerned that millions of women might treat chatbots as romantic partners, reducing their willingness to marry and have children. Matt Sheehan, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told The Wall Street Journal that Chinese officials do not want large segments of the population deeply emotionally bonded with AI, leading them to exit the marriage market. He added that authorities are also worried about addiction, dependency, and other social issues, and aim to encourage real-world relationships.

The new rules require all AI companion chatbots to undergo government review before public release. Regulators also have expanded authority to shut down services deemed unsafe. In contrast, similar regulations in California and New York only require chatbots to disclose they are not human and guide users to professional support during crises—significantly less stringent than China's approach.

This crackdown comes amid worsening demographic crisis in China. According to The Wall Street Journal, China's population has declined for four consecutive years as of 2025, with fertility rates hitting historic lows.

Editor: Hsu Yung-hsiang

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