China’s new rules for anthropomorphic AI interaction services take effect July 15, 2026, adding oversight to AI companions and virtual assistants.

China’s Cyberspace Administration has finalized rules for anthropomorphic AI interaction services, and they take effect on July 15, 2026. The measures cover AI companions, personalized virtual assistants, and other human-like interactive bots.

Providers will face content, user protection, and ethical obligations on top of existing algorithm registration and generative AI rules. It is the latest layer in a regulatory stack that already includes deep synthesis, algorithm filing, and cybersecurity requirements.

The practical impact is that anyone building character-driven AI products for the Chinese market will need compliance built in from day one, not bolted on after launch.

The West’s debate over AI companions is mostly about mental health and manipulation. China’s answer is paperwork. Lots of it.

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