China’s cyberspace authority unveiled draft regulations on Friday aimed at overseeing the online development of digital humans. The proposed rules mandate clear labeling of all virtual human content and prohibit services that could mislead children or encourage addictive behavior.
The Cyberspace Administration of China requires that all digital human content carry prominent “digital human” labels. Additionally, the draft forbids digital humans from offering “virtual intimate relationships” to individuals under 18. These regulations are open for public comment until May 6.
In a significant development, the draft also bans the unauthorized use of others’ personal information to create digital humans and prohibits virtual humans from circumventing identity verification systems. This reflects Beijing’s broader efforts to maintain regulatory control amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence technology.
Furthermore, digital humans are barred from spreading content that threatens national security, incites subversion, promotes secession, or undermines national unity. Service providers are urged to prevent and resist content that is sexually suggestive, depicts horror or cruelty, or incites ethnic or regional discrimination.
Providers are also encouraged to intervene and offer professional support when users display suicidal or self-harming behaviors. This aligns with China’s recent emphasis on responsible AI adoption and digital safety.
China’s ambitions to integrate AI extensively across its economy were highlighted in a new five-year policy blueprint released last month. Alongside this push, the government is tightening governance in the rapidly expanding AI sector to ensure safety and adherence to socialist values.
The new regulations aim to address a governance gap in the digital human industry by establishing clear boundaries for its healthy development. An analysis on the cyberspace regulator’s website emphasized that managing digital virtual humans is no longer just an industry matter but a strategic scientific challenge tied to cyberspace security, public interest, and the sustainable growth of the digital economy.
