ByteDance and Alibaba Disable AI Agent Features Amid China's Regulations
On July 6, 2026, ByteDance and Alibaba announced the removal of humanlike agent features from their consumer AI products due to new regulations from China. The Interim Measures for the Administration of AI Anthropomorphic Interaction Services take effect on July 15, with the goal of addressing emotional AI's potential risks, as reported by Decrypt.
ByteDance's Doubao and Alibaba's Qwen have confirmed that they will disable humanlike agent features in response to new regulations from the Chinese government. These changes precede the implementation of the Interim Measures for the Administration of AI Anthropomorphic Interaction Services, which takes effect on July 15, 2026.
The regulations specifically target emotional AI, prohibiting services that simulate human personality and promote sustained emotional interactions. The Chinese authorities expressed concern over the potential for harmful emotional attachments that these AI systems may encourage, particularly among younger users. Research indicates that approximately one in seven young adults in relationships relies on AI romantic companions, highlighting the urgency of regulation in this area.
Both technology companies are adjusting their functionalities ahead of the policy’s enforcement. ByteDance notified users of its intent to take Doubao's agent feature offline by July 15, specifying that any related data will be treated according to its privacy policy beyond October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, Alibaba's Qwen is expected to remove its humanlike interactive features on July 10, ahead of the broader ban on additional agent services slated for July 15.
The Interim Measures were issued on April 10, 2026, by several government agencies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The directive aims to curtail the creation and use of AI-driven emotional interactions, such as virtual companions, AI therapists, and custom bots that provide personalized experiences.
This development suggests a distinct difference in regulatory approaches to AI between China and the United States. While American lawmakers emphasize transparency and user safety for AI chatbots, Chinese regulators are moving toward the complete elimination of AI personalities in consumer applications.
As these regulations unfold, industry watchers will need to assess how other AI-driven platforms respond and adapt to similar guidelines, especially in regions with growing concerns over AI's emotional impacts.
Summary based on original reporting by Jose Antonio Lanz at Decrypt, originally published Jul 6, 2026. SolanaWire does not republish source content.
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