Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad at Digital Dopplegangers:
Now that I have your attention, I should acknowledge that Beijing is not really watching your girlfriend. However, something interesting is going on in China in the regulatory space when it comes to AI companion bots. On April 10, 2026, five of its most powerful government agencies (including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Development and Reform Commission) jointly issued Order No. 21: the Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic AI Interactive Services. Every company building, hosting, or distributing an AI companion in China has until July 15 to comply.
It’s the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework specifically targeting AI designed to act like a person. For anyone tracking the future of digital identity, virtual relationships, and what it means to bond with a machine, it is an important document.
More here.
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