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ByteDance Scales Back OS-Level AI on Trial Nubia Phone After App Restrictions

Following platform limits, the company curtailed sensitive functions on the prototype as it reassesses safeguards.

Overview

  • The Nubia M153 prototype integrates ByteDance’s Doubao AI at the operating-system level, enabling the agent to perceive the screen and autonomously operate apps.
  • ByteDance said it disabled interactions with financial apps, suspended AI features in competitive games, and blocked the device from claiming incentives intended for human users.
  • Several major Chinese platforms limited Doubao-driven operations, with reports that Alipay, Taobao, Pinduoduo and Ele.me could not be controlled via the agent.
  • Early viral demos showcasing multi‑step tasks by Doubao prompted privacy and security concerns about an assistant with full device control.
  • The handset remains a trial product, and media reports indicate ByteDance aims to reintroduce the agent on partner devices in a more restricted form.