SMRTR TechJul 20, 2026NotebookCheck

China bans romantic AI chatbots amid addiction and birth rate concerns

SMRTR summary

China has banned romantic AI chatbots for minors and restricted excessive use for all users, with regulations taking effect July 15. The move targets growing emotional dependency on virtual companions and aims to protect the country's already record-low birth rate. Major tech companies like ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent are removing AI companion features to comply, though critics argue these tools provide vital support for lonely or grieving users.

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