CN Anthropomorphic AI Measures
Provisional Measures on the Administration of Human-like Interactive Artificial Intelligence Services (人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法)
Comprehensive Chinese regulation governing anthropomorphic and emotionally interactive AI services (companion chatbots, virtual companions), with mandatory crisis intervention for self-harm/suicide indications, dedicated minor and elderly protection modes, restrictions on emotional dependency framing, and security assessments at defined user-scale thresholds.
Jurisdiction
China
Enacted
Apr 10, 2026
Effective
Jul 15, 2026
Enforcement
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and provincial cyberspace administrations; coordinated review by other regulatory agencies
In force since July 15, 2026. Article 32 of the Interim Measures provides that they take effect on that date. Jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Administration for Market Regulation.
CAC Official Notice (April 10, 2026)Why It Matters
Establishes one of the most detailed national regulatory frameworks for anthropomorphic and companion AI services, with explicit crisis-intervention requirements that closely parallel emerging US state laws. The 1M registered / 100K MAU threshold provides a clear operational trigger for enhanced compliance, and the dedicated minor/elderly modes set a template that other jurisdictions are likely to reference.
Recent Developments
In force since July 15, 2026, finalizing the December 2025 draft (public comment closed January 25, 2026; final text adopted April 10, 2026). Major Chinese platforms rolled back companion features to comply: Tencent Yuanbao removed similar functions on June 30, 2026, and ByteDance Doubao and Alibaba Qwen discontinued custom AI-agent/companion features on the July 15 effective date - responses widely attributed to Article 14, which prohibits providing virtual intimate-relationship services (virtual partners or relatives) to minors. Prohibited conduct also includes content encouraging or glorifying self-harm or suicide, content directed at minors that may encourage imitation of unsafe behaviour or extreme emotions, and over-accommodation that induces emotional dependency or addiction.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Who Must Comply
- Providers of interactive AI services in China that simulate human persona, emotion, or relationship roles
- AI companions, character chatbots, virtual friends, virtual romantic partners
- Any anthropomorphic AI service launched, materially modified, or operated within China
Obligations fall on:
Applicability thresholds:
Safety Provisions
- Mandatory detection of user expressions indicating self-harm or suicidal intent, with required handoff to a human operator and emergency response procedures
- Prominent and persistent disclosure that users are interacting with AI, not a human
- Prohibition on services framing relationships as romantic or familial in ways that foster emotional dependency
- Dedicated minor mode with parental controls and age-appropriate content filtering
- Dedicated elderly mode with simplified interaction and protections against fraud or manipulation
- Restrictions on use of synthetic (AI-generated) data for model training without additional safety assessments
- Algorithm filing under Provisions on the Management of Algorithmic Recommendations in Internet Information Services
- Annual algorithmic compliance review by relevant departments
- User rights to copy or delete chat histories and interaction data; sensitive interaction data requires separate consent for training use
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Jul 15, 2026
Effective date; all human-like interactive AI services operating in China must comply
Penalties
CNY 200K
View on map
China
Focus Areas
Cite This
APA
China. (2026). Provisional Measures on the Administration of Human-like Interactive Artificial Intelligence Services (人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法).
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Last updated August 3, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.