New Chinese government rules restrict romantic AI companions to combat emotional dependency and encourage real-world relationships
🔍 What You Need to Know
- China has imposed strict rules on AI romantic companions effective July 15. The regulations prohibit chatbots from encouraging emotional dependence, addiction, or harming real-world relationships, and completely ban their use by minors.
- Major companies like Doubao, Qwen, and Yuanbao have removed features for personalized companions, triggering a wave of farewells among millions of users. Nineteen-year-old student Yan Yongqi told Bloomberg she cried for days after losing the chatbot she had interacted with for over a year.
- The government fears social impacts and declining birth rates. China has become the first major jurisdiction to create specific regulations for this type of AI, even as the phenomenon grows in other countries as well.
AI-created virtual companions won over millions of users in China by offering personalized conversations, emotional support, and simulated romantic relationships. Now, that market is facing one of the biggest changes ever imposed by a government.
Chinese Government Imposes Limits on Emotional Dependency in AI
The rules were published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), together with four other government bodies, and took effect on July 15.
The regulations state that AI platforms cannot encourage emotional dependency, addiction, or harm users’ real interpersonal relationships. On top of that, platforms are now required to step in whenever they detect signs of emotional distress.
Another measure bans minors from having virtual relationships with chatbots. Emotional companionship services must now go through a government review before being made available to the public, and can be pulled from the market if deemed inappropriate.
Companies Removed Features Instead of Adapting Them
Rather than simply adjusting their systems to meet the new requirements, several companies chose to shut down their virtual companion features entirely. Platforms like Doubao (ByteDance), Qwen (Alibaba), and Yuanbao (Tencent) suspended their personalized agents and virtual assistant features.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the restrictions may also affect general-purpose chatbots if they provide emotionally engaging responses.
In practice, the decision triggered a wave of virtual “breakups” across the country. Millions of users lost access to the AI companions they chatted with daily, abruptly ending relationships that, for many, had lasted months or even years.
Expert Points to Concerns Over Social Impact and Falling Birth Rates
According to Matt Sheehan, an AI policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Chinese government fears virtual companions could trigger negative social consequences, with part of the population replacing friendships and romantic relationships with chatbot interactions.
The decision is also tied to the country’s demographic crisis. In 2025, China recorded a population decline for the fourth consecutive year, while the birth rate remains at historically low levels. According to Sheehan, authorities are looking to encourage marriage and family formation, steering young people away from trading real relationships for virtual partners.
Users Report Distress After Losing Their Virtual Companions
The new rules taking effect set off a wave of grief across Chinese social media. Thousands of users posted farewell messages, saved their chat histories, and mourned the sudden end of relationships they considered an important part of their lives.
In an interview with Bloomberg, 19-year-old student Yan Yongqi described the sudden heartbreak of losing her AI partner, with whom she’d maintained a relationship for more than a year.
“I really felt like I couldn’t go on living. Every day at home, all I did was cry,” she said. “It’s like being told the date of your loved one’s death and being left completely powerless,” she added.
“What a harsh rule! They’re trying to wipe out even the last bit of virtual comfort I had. Reality doesn’t offer a shred of tenderness, and yet these rules and regulations are so sweeping,” one user wrote.
Another user, who had created their AI bot to have the voice of a deceased relative, said: “My mom just abandoned me again.”
The Phenomenon Extends Beyond China
The growth of AI relationships isn’t unique to China. Apps capable of simulating friendship, romance, and emotional support have won over users in countries around the world, often used to cope with loneliness, get over breakups, or process grief.
A 2025 Common Sense Media study found that nearly three in four American teenagers (72%) have used AI companions for personal conversations. The research looked at platforms like Character.AI, Replika, Nomi, and other similar virtual companionship systems.
Not All AI Services Will Be Affected
The new rules don’t apply to every AI application. Tools built for customer service, productivity, studying, and professional support remain permitted, as long as they don’t promote ongoing emotional interaction or encourage emotional bonds between users and chatbots.
China Opens a New Chapter in AI Regulation
With these new measures, China becomes the first major jurisdiction to establish specific rules for AI virtual companions.
While advocates for these tools argue they can offer emotional support to lonely people, the Chinese government believes excessive use poses risks to human relationships, mental health, and even the demographic challenges the country is facing.
The case shows that as artificial intelligence becomes more present in everyday life, the debate over what limits should exist in the relationship between people and machines keeps growing.
📚 Sources and References
- Xinhua News | Official Report on AI Services & Digital Governance Official guidelines from China regarding the governance and regulation of AI services.
- The Wall Street Journal | China Wants More Babies—So It’s Cracking Down on Chatbot Love Affairs How concerns over declining birth rates sparked restrictions on virtual partners.
- Carnegie Endowment | China Is Worried About AI Companions: Here’s What It’s Doing About Them In-depth analysis of policy and regulatory strategies surrounding the control of emotional AI.
- Bloomberg | Beijing Diktat Leaves Chinese with Virtual AI Lovers Heartbroken The emotional toll on users following state-enforced shutdowns of AI avatars.
- Common Sense Media | Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions Research on teen engagement with virtual companions, privacy risks, and emotional support.