Rules / China

Interim Measures for the Administration of Artificial Intelligence Anthropomorphic Interaction Services

In forceRegulationBinding人工智能拟人化互动服务管理暂行办法

Covers AI services offered to the public in China that simulate human personality, thinking and communication style for sustained emotional interaction (AI companions, virtual partners). Bars 'virtual relative' or 'virtual partner' services for minors and requires a minors' mode and guardian consent for under-14s, reminders after every 2 hours of continuous use, easy exit, protections for elderly users, algorithm filing, and a security assessment when launching or when reaching 1 million registered or 100,000 monthly active users.

Why it matters

Companion and character-chat products in China need minors' modes, usage-time nudges and security assessments from 15 Jul 2026.

What it requires

Security testingRegistration or filingTransparency to usersConsumer rightsPenalties

Penalties

Where other laws are silent: warnings, public criticism, orders to correct and suspension of registrations; for refusal to correct or serious cases, service shutdown and fines of RMB 10,000–100,000, plus RMB 100,000–200,000 where users' life or health is endangered with harmful consequences (Art. 30).

SourceCAC: https://www.cac.gov.cn/2026-04/10/c_1777558395078289.htmSecondary: https://www.cac.gov.cn/2026-04/10/c_1777558395023172.htm Checked against the source on 4 Oct 2026. CAC Order No. 21. Draft for comment published 27 Dec 2025.

Cite this record

Interim Measures for the Administration of Artificial Intelligence Anthropomorphic Interaction Services. Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), NDRC, MIIT, MPS, SAMR. Status: In force. wheresthe.ai, https://wheresthe.ai/rule/cn-cac-anthropomorphic-ai-interim-measures-2026/ (verified 4 Oct 2026).

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