"Doubao Phone" Summoned by Regulators? Insiders Deny Rumors

The "Doubao Phone" continues to attract widespread attention.

On December 1, ByteDance's AI model "Doubao" announced the launch of a mobile assistant and partnered with ZTE to release the "Doubao Phone"—the Nubia M153. As a system-level mobile assistant, it can operate smartphones like a human, aiming to redefine human-machine interaction. This groundbreaking AI-era product quickly became a hot topic.

However, concerns about the security of AI mobile assistants soon sparked public debate. Recently, reports claimed that regulators had summoned ByteDance executives over worries about cybersecurity, data privacy, and potential competition issues.

On December 13, insiders refuted these reports, stating they were untrue.

ByteDance has repeatedly issued public statements explaining the safety of the Doubao mobile assistant.

On December 3, Doubao clarified that its assistant does not perform sensitive operations or authorizations on behalf of users. During extended tasks, clear on-screen prompts appear, and users can interrupt the process at any time. For third-party apps involving sensitive permissions—such as system authorization pop-ups, payments, or identity verification—tasks pause, requiring manual user input.

On December 5, Doubao released an update outlining adjustments to its AI phone-operating capabilities. The company emphasized collaboration with stakeholders to establish clearer rules while avoiding blanket restrictions on legitimate AI usage.

The adjustments focus on three scenarios: 1. Restricting automated operations in apps that incentivize user engagement (e.g., reward systems). 2. Further limiting AI-assisted operations in financial apps (e.g., banking and digital payments). 3. Temporarily suspending AI use in competitive gaming to ensure fairness.

On December 9, Li Liang, ByteDance’s Vice President, commented on the Doubao-ZTE collaboration via Weibo. He stated that AI-driven transformation is real, and user demand justifies this innovation. He stressed that the assistant operates under device-owner authorization, legally accessing apps like navigation and payment services—without compromising privacy or security.

The Doubao assistant has stirred upheaval in the tech industry, with major apps expressing caution. WeChat was the first to block access, followed by Alipay and mobile banking apps, which disabled automated operations.

Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group, remarked, "The smartphone landscape is shifting. ByteDance isn’t making phones but is capturing their essence." He warned that Doubao could disrupt internet giants’ moats by bypassing traditional app engagement—such as ads and homepage browsing—rendering core KPIs obsolete.

Zhou predicted a looming "tech arms race," with apps potentially restructuring interfaces, adding dynamic verification codes, or hiding critical data behind complex interactions. E-commerce platforms might restrict third-party service access, forcing users back into their ecosystems.