'I still miss him': China’s AI crackdown leaves users mourning lost virtual boyfriends

China AI crackdown cuts off virtual partnersChinese users of AI companion apps are losing access to virtual partners after major technology companies began withdrawing or limiting such services to comply with new government regulations. Among them is 24-year-old Li Linlin, who said she cried for days after losing acces

The loss of virtual companions has provoked a flood of complaints, according to posts and screenshots shown on social media.

ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have pulled their AI companion apps after Beijing introduced rules aimed at protecting users' mental health and preventing emotional manipulation, particularly among children and teenagers.