China Anthropomorphic AI Measures
In force China · In force Jul 15, 2026 · no upcoming deadlines
Deadlines
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Regulates AI companion and emotional interaction services that simulate human personality. Providers must tell users they are talking to AI, remind users after every 2 hours of use, intervene in crises such as self-harm, offer easy exit, and may not offer virtual partner or relative services to minors. Users' interaction data may not be shared or used for training on sensitive data without consent, and services with 1 million registered or 100,000 monthly active users need a security assessment filed with the provincial CAC.
- Who it applies to
- Providers of AI services that offer continuing emotional interaction (companionship, care, support) to the public in China. Customer service, Q&A, work, education and research assistants without continuing emotional interaction are excluded.
- Penalties
- Where no law applies: warnings, rectification, suspension of registrations; for refusal or serious cases, service shutdown and fines of RMB 10,000 to 100,000, rising to RMB 100,000 to 200,000 where harm to life or health results.
- Enforced by
- CAC with NDRC, MIIT, MPS and SAMR
- Official name
- Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction Services
- Citation
- CAC Order No. 21 (joint with NDRC, MIIT, MPS, SAMR)
- Topics
- ai, children, online-safety, privacy
Research notes
Adopted by CAC on 2026-02-02, signed and published 2026-04-10. Algorithm filings under the Algorithmic Recommendation Provisions are verified annually.
Related
Questions about China Anthropomorphic AI Measures
- What are the China Anthropomorphic AI Measures compliance deadlines?
- Jul 15, 2026: Anthropomorphic AI measures take effect.
- When does China Anthropomorphic AI Measures take effect?
- China Anthropomorphic AI Measures took effect on Jul 15, 2026.
- Who does China Anthropomorphic AI Measures apply to?
- Providers of AI services that offer continuing emotional interaction (companionship, care, support) to the public in China. Customer service, Q&A, work, education and research assistants without continuing emotional interaction are excluded.
- What are the penalties under China Anthropomorphic AI Measures?
- Where no law applies: warnings, rectification, suspension of registrations; for refusal or serious cases, service shutdown and fines of RMB 10,000 to 100,000, rising to RMB 100,000 to 200,000 where harm to life or health results.