China moves to regulate anthropomorphic robots

The draft regulation includes numerous safeguards against dependency and commercial abuses, with particular attention paid to minors and elderly people.

On December 27, 2025, China’s Cyberspace Administration published a “Provisional Regulation on the Management of AI-Based Anthropomorphic Interaction Services.” The document sets out broad regulatory principles for anthropomorphic robots engaged in “emotional interaction with humans.”

The regulation establishes precise standards in terms of security and resilience against hacking. Above all, it imposes numerous safeguards on the human–machine interface in order to prevent dependency and commercial misuse. Robots will be required to clearly inform users that they are interacting with an AI system, and to continuously assess the user’s emotional state and level of dependency.

Preventive measures are even more stringent for at-risk populations, particularly minors and elderly people. The text notably prohibits simulating the relatives of an elderly user. Open to public consultation until January 25, 2026, the regulation is expected to enter into force during 2026.