New Regulations Take Effect in September: Companies Liable for AI Customer Service Content, Expanded Use of Medical Insurance Accounts

Starting September 2024, China will implement a series of new regulations. The national standard "Requirements for Collaboration between Human and AI Customer Service in Customer Contact Services" officially takes effect, stipulating that enterprises must assume responsibility for the responses generated by AI customer service systems and cannot refuse to honor commitments by citing AI-generated answers as an excuse. Simultaneously, the Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products will come into force, prohibiting loan products from using marketing phrases such as "low interest rates" or "instant disbursement." The measures also require clear visual separation between payment tools and loan products in their online presentation. The revised Housing Provident Fund Administrative Regulations broaden the scope of fund withdrawals and usage to include purposes such as paying rent and renovating owner-occupied housing, while also shortening the loan approval timeline. The People’s Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued an announcement banning the buying and selling of RMB banknotes currently in circulation, with exceptions made for specific cases such as commemorative coins. The Exit and Entry Administration Regulations have been further refined to standardize exit and entry activities, requiring individuals exiting the country to provide truthful and lawful reasons for their applications and ensuring the protection of individuals’ legitimate rights and interests. The Administrative Measures for the Development of Micro Short Dramas introduce a classification-based filing, public disclosure, and distribution licensing system. These measures explicitly prohibit micro short dramas from containing content that endangers national security and mandate that any micro short drama produced using artificial intelligence technology must carry a clear disclosure label. The Administrative Provisions on Multi-channel Distribution Services for Internet Information Content prohibit providing live-streaming publishing services to minors under the age of 16. At the local level, Shanghai has expanded the allowable uses of accumulated individual medical insurance account balances to cover medical expenses. Beijing has implemented guidelines for green packaging use by food delivery merchants, standardizing packaging requirements for different types of meals. Shanxi Province has enacted technical standards for “high-quality housing,” setting specific requirements covering the entire residential construction process.