ByteDance and Alibaba Disable Custom AI Companion Features Ahead of China’s July 15 AI Regulations

China’s new AI rules will take effect on July 15, 2026, prompting major technology companies to adjust their products before the deadline. In response, ByteDance and Alibaba have started disabling custom AI companion features in their chatbot platforms to comply with the upcoming regulations. The decision reflects China’s stronger oversight of AI safety, transparency, and user protection. So why are these virtual companions disappearing, and what does it mean for the future of AI development in China and elsewhere?

Why ByteDance and Alibaba are Removing AI Companion Features?

What Is Changing Before the July 15 Deadline?

ByteDance and Alibaba are shutting down custom AI companion features in their chatbot platforms before China’s July 15, 2026 regulatory deadline. Doubao and Qwen will no longer let users create personalized AI characters or companions with custom personalities. Existing user-created AI agents will stop working once the rules take effect. 

ByteDance’s Doubao and Alibaba’s Qwen apps announced that they will shut their AI agent features, effective July 15. Users are urged to back up their custom agent configurations and chat histories immediately before access is permanently revoked. @Alibaba_Qwen @BytedanceTalk pic.twitter.com/drjMHq7N8n

— Yicai 第一财经 (@yicaichina) July 6, 2026

Rather than redesigning these services to meet the new requirements, both companies decided to remove the features. Doubao users can still access or export their chat history until October 15, 2026. After that date, the stored conversations will be permanently deleted under the platform’s privacy policy.

What China’s New AI Companion Regulations Require?

What are the New Rules for Human-Like AI?

China’s Interim Measures for the Administration of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction Services come into force on July 15, 2026. The regulations focus on AI systems that encourage long-term emotional interaction with users, while productivity-focused AI tools remain largely outside their scope.

The rules require companies to:

• Clearly tell users they are interacting with AI.
• Warn users if they appear to be developing excessive dependence.
• Display reminders after two hours of continuous use.
• Give users a simple way to end conversations.
• Provide stronger protections for minors.
• Prevent AI from acting as romantic partners or family members for children.

The goal is to make AI interactions more transparent, reduce emotional dependence, and tighten oversight of consumer AI services as their popularity continues to grow.

How the Changes Affect Doubao and Qwen Users?

What Features Will Users Lose?

Users who relied on AI companions for role-playing, friendship, learning, or emotional support will lose several features, including:

• Personalized AI companions.
• Custom AI personas.
• Long-term conversation memory.
• Role-playing characters.
• Ongoing companion chats.

🇨🇳 ONE NIGHT, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN CHINA LOST THEIR AI "PARTNER" – AND THEY NEVER GOT TO SAY GOODBYE#ByteDance and @AlibabaGroup have both quietly disabled AI companion features on Doubao and @Alibaba_Qwen – China's two biggest chatbot apps.

The reason? Beijing is rolling out… pic.twitter.com/ee7m5Pg1pq

— Cryptothreads.io (@CryptoThreadsX) July 6, 2026

Many users on Chinese social media have expressed frustration because years of conversations could disappear. Doubao is allowing users to export their chat history until October 15, while some Qwen users will lose access sooner. The changes mainly affect entertainment and companion AI, not workplace assistants or educational chatbots.

Why Is China Tightening Rules on Human-Like AI?

Why Is Beijing Concerned About Emotional AI?

Chinese regulators believe AI that closely imitates human emotions can lead to unhealthy emotional attachment, particularly among younger users. They are also concerned about privacy, misleading interactions, and the mental health risks linked to AI companions that feel too human. The new rules encourage companies to develop AI more responsibly while limiting features that may encourage emotional dependence or manipulation.

Business-focused AI used for customer service, education, research, and workplace tasks is not the main target of these regulations. Developers can also continue using an AI analysis tool or other specialized AI applications, provided those services are not designed to build ongoing emotional relationships with users.

Global Impact on AI Companies Beyond China

Could Other Countries Introduce Similar Rules?

China is among the first major markets to introduce regulations aimed specifically at emotionally interactive AI. The approach could influence future policies in the United States, Europe, and other regions where governments are already discussing AI safety, transparency, child protection, and the risks of emotional manipulation.

As regulations evolve, AI companies operating globally may need to design products that can meet similar standards in multiple markets.

Conclusion

ByteDance and Alibaba chose to remove custom AI companion features rather than redesign them before China’s July 15, 2026 deadline. The new regulations focus on reducing emotional dependence and improving transparency in AI interactions. As governments in other countries continue reviewing similar concerns, China’s rules may offer an early example of how emotional AI could be regulated without affecting most productivity-focused AI services.

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.