Chinese regulator drafts rules to protect teenagers from ‘intimate’ AI companions
China's internet watchdog has drafted new rules to protect minors from AI companions. The regulations ban "virtual intimacy services" for users under 18. They also prohibit platforms from offering services that could induce addiction or harm mental health. The rules require platforms to activate minor modes for online games, social sites, and AI services affecting users under 16.
China's new draft rules target AI companion services, specifically banning "virtual intimacy" for minors. This goes beyond the general AI regulations introduced two months prior. The focus on "virtual relatives or companions" shows Beijing's intent to control the social and psychological impact of AI, not just data or content.
The new policy will reshape how Chinese AI developers approach consumer-facing applications. Companies like Baidu or Tencent, already navigating strict content rules, must now ensure their AI products cannot be perceived as fostering intimacy with minors. The test for these companies is whether they can innovate within these narrow parameters without stifling user engagement.
The thing to watch is enforcement. The rules require platforms to activate minors' mode for users under 16. How this age verification is implemented and audited will determine the true impact. A lax approach makes the rules symbolic; strict enforcement creates a new standard for AI development in China.
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