Chinese tech firms shut down AI companion services after new rules take effect on 15 July
Major Chinese technology companies are shutting down their popular AI companion services after new government restrictions took effect on 15 July. Users lost their companions without any goodbye; in one account, a woman exchanged about 700,000 words with her AI friend over two years. One AI companion product from miHoYo closed 29 days after its launch.
Sources
- China’s AI companion users bereft as rules tighten | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysisasahi.com · Aug 10, 2026
- Chinese tech companies are shutting down AI companion services due to new restrictionsua.news · Aug 10, 2026
- AI companions vanish without goodbyes as China tightens rules | AP Newsapnews.com · Aug 10, 2026
- Chinese users of AI companions bereft after government tightens regulations | The Seattle Timesseattletimes.com · Aug 10, 2026
- MiHoYo's AI Companion Product Shuts Down After Just 29 Days — Why Did a Highly Praised Product Meet Such a Short-Lived Fate?finance.biggo.com · Aug 11, 2026
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