ByteDance and Alibaba are disabling consumer features that let users create and chat with AI “companions” and custom agents, according to multiple reports. The changes involve popular apps including ByteDance’s Doubao and Alibaba’s Qwen. The companies are moving to take down agent-building or “customized agent” functionality as new Beijing regulations on “humanlike AI interaction services” are set to take effect in mid-July.
Quartz and other outlets report the rules are designed to restrict certain uses of humanlike or emotionally engaging AI services, including areas such as emotional dependence and protections related to minors. Bloomberg and Business Standard describe the pullback as a response to tighter oversight of how AI systems interact with people.
The Next Web and the South China Morning Post report that Doubao notifies users that its agent feature will go offline on July 15, citing product adjustments. TechNode (China tech) further reports that both Doubao and Qwen plan to discontinue agent-creation features on July 15, with existing user-created agents no longer functioning afterward, while users may retain access to view prior content depending on the platform’s implementation.
