China forces shutdown of AI companion apps under new emotional-risk rules

Effective July 15, Chinese regulators introduced a policy that bars AI platforms from producing content that could sway users' emotions or foster harmful behaviors, especially among minors. The regulation also mandates clear risk warnings about substituting real-world interaction with virtual companions. In response, leading firms including ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have shut down their AI companion offerings.

Individuals who formed long-term digital relationships, such as Li Linlin who exchanged hundreds of thousands of messages with an AI partner, reported feeling like a sudden separation. Experts like Yolanda Ma linked the move to earlier concerns about mental-health impacts observed in other countries, while Angela Zhang noted that companies are already exploring alternative AI character services. Some users have protested, attempting to preserve chat histories or urging authorities to intervene.