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China issues companion-AI rules banning virtual partners for minors

Rule changeInformationHealthCNConfirmed

CAC Order No. 21, issued with NDRC, MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and SAMR and effective 15 July 2026, regulates AI services that simulate human personalities for sustained emotional interaction. Providers may not offer virtual relative or partner relationships to minors, need guardian consent for under-14s, must disclose that users are talking to AI, remind users after two hours of continuous use and avoid designs that foster emotional dependence.

Why it matters

It is the most prescriptive national regime for AI companions so far, directly constraining product design for character-chat apps in China.

SourceCyberspace Administration of China Checked against the primary source. Independently fact-checked on 7 Oct 2026.
CACNDRCMIITSAMR

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Children, companions and deepfakesStop 6 of 9

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