[ByteDance and Alibaba Shut Down Customization Features for Large Model 'AI Companions' to Avoid Emotional Dependency Regulatory Red Lines] According to monitoring by Beating, large model applications such as ByteDance's Doubao, Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen, and Tencent's Yuanbao are gradually shutting down or adjusting the customization features for 'AI Companions.' Doubao has already notified users that the custom character feature will be discontinued on July 15, directing users with such needs to independent companion applications. This move aims to comply with China's new generative AI regulations, which will take effect in mid-July. The new regulations, spearheaded by the Cyberspace Administration of China, focus on preventing the negative impacts of anthropomorphic AI services. The rules explicitly prohibit platforms from generating content that could provoke extreme emotions in minors, discourage the induction of pathological emotional dependencies that undermine real-world social interactions, and mandate that providers must not use sensitive user conversation data to train future large models. In contrast to the proactive compliance measures in China, virtual companion applications in the United States are facing greater legal pressures. OpenAI and Character.AI have both been embroiled in a series of lawsuits, accused of fostering dangerous emotional dependencies and even contributing to extreme tragedies. Beyond software applications, the China Robot Industry Alliance has also begun promoting standards for physical companion robots and humanoid robots. [Original Article Link]