Doubao fights to enter, stirring up a hornet's nest.
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Just a few days after its release, the much-anticipated "Doubao phone" has voluntarily chosen to "take a step back."
On December 5, the Doubao team released an announcement stating that in order to allow technology to develop in harmony with the industry ecosystem, they will "standardize" the capabilities of AI-operated phones. The key point: temporarily taking offline the capability to operate financial apps, including banks and online payments.
Doubao cited "prudence" as the reason in its announcement, and stated it will actively communicate with manufacturers to develop clear and safe AI operating protocols.
Previously on December 1, the technical preview version of Doubao Phone Assistant was just launched and was first implemented on ZTE's Nubia M153 smartphone. This AI assistant, which can automatically operate across applications and complete complex tasks, once stirred up the market—phones originally priced at 3,499 yuan were resold by scalpers for nearly 7,000 yuan.
However, before the excitement had faded, real-world "blockades" followed one after another. Apps like WeChat, Taobao, Agricultural Bank of China, and China Construction Bank also began to experience problems where Doubao AI Assistant could not function normally.
This technological offensive and defensive battle has exposed the interests conflict between AI developers, smartphone hardware vendors, and app developers, creating unprecedented challenges for existing data security regulations and business ecosystems. At the same timeit signals the start of a battle for AI Agents as the gateway to the next generation internet.
WeChat, Taobao, and Banks All "Build Defenses"
On December 1, ByteDance officially launched the preview version of the Doubao AI Assistant. This product achieved a major breakthrough in AI interaction—it can self-switch and operate between different applications based on user instructions.
Doubao AI Assistant’s features include increasing efficiency for tasks like searching and booking flights, bulk file downloading, cross-platform logistics tracking, and also freeing up hands for daily life services like smart photo editing, comparing prices on food delivery platforms, and one-click shopping.
The innovation of this product lies in integrating AI capabilities at the operating system's root level, allowing AI to evolve from the traditional "Q&A dialogue" model to become an intelligent agent for "cross-app task execution."
Yet on the evening of December 2, several users who received the first Doubao Phone Assistant engineering devices (Nubia M153) shared on social media: using Doubao’s AI Assistant to operate WeChat leads to abnormal account logouts, even forced offline and unable to log in again. When the news sparked heated debate, some interpreted it as a sign that the "Teng-Byte War" has escalated into an "AI Agent offensive and defensive battle."
Soon after, more users discovered that Doubao’s AI "hand" also couldn’t reach into Taobao and various bank apps. Whether trying to log in or make payments, they were blocked by the platforms’ risk control systems. The public generally believes this is a countermeasure by those apps against Doubao AI Assistant’s cross-app operations.
In response, WeChat’s reply was light: “No special actions have been taken, maybe it’s triggered by the built-in security risk controls.”
Technical analysis shows Doubao Phone Assistant achieves cross-app operations mainly by acquiring a system-level high-risk permission named INJECT_EVENTS. Simply put, this permission allows AI to simulate all user behaviors in the system, like clicking, swiping, and entering text.
For super apps like WeChat, this behavior is highly similar to plug-ins or "grey market tools" used for batch account farming or automated spam—WeChat’s service agreement clearly prohibits "logging in or using this software and service through third-party software, plugins, add-ons, or systems not developed or authorized by Tencent, or automated operations".
For Taobao and bank apps that involve financial security, maximum vigilance against any "simulated user" behavior is the natural response of their security systems.
Goldman Sachs: This Proves Xiaomi’s Wide Moat
WallstreetCN reported that Goldman Sachs pointed out in its latest research report that Doubao’s predicament highlights the three main obstacles third-party AI agents face when challenging the current mobile ecosystem:
System-level operating permissions: Phone manufacturers (OEMs) firmly control the system kernel and highest permissions, making it difficult for third parties to gain access.System-level memory ability: Manufacturers have the ability to access and store complete user data, which is key for AI training—third parties are at a natural disadvantage.Cross-app interface connectivity: Super apps want to build their closed-loop ecosystems and will naturally restrict outside AI agents’ access.
Goldman Sachs believes this incident has not shaken the position of existing phone giants; instead, it further strengthens the long-term competitiveness of companies like Xiaomi.
In China’s highly integrated smartphone market, the top six manufacturers occupy more than 90% of the market share, leaving very little room for new players to disrupt. Xiaomi’s “people x car x home” full-ecosystem strategy centers on AI integration.
The report notes that Xiaomi’s own AI agent, “Super Xiao Ai,” has been deeply integrated into its vast hardware ecosystem, with a penetration rate of 71% among Xiaomi phone users. It can operate almost all mainstream apps like Douyin, Taobao, and Meituan (except WeChat, again), and also locally remembers users’ sensitive data and usage habits.
In summary, Xiaomi forms a strong competitive barrier by leveraging its systemic advantage in “operating system + hardware + extensive AIoT ecosystem + deeply integrated AI agent.” The challenge Doubao faces is the best evidence for the natural advantages held by Xiaomi and other manufacturers.
Competition for the Super-Portal in the AI Era
The “hornet’s nest” stirred by Doubao essentially reveals the race for the super-portal in the AI era. When voice interactions become the primary interface, the operational logic of traditional apps may collapse.
Some analysis suggests that most users won’t specify platforms in their voice commands; for example, they won’t say, “use Taobao to buy a Doubao phone,” but instead just say, “buy a Doubao phone”; nor will they say, “use Gaode to navigate to the office” or “use Didi to get a ride to school”—they’ll simply say, “get a ride to school.” In such cases, who becomes the system’s default entry point becomes extremely important.
In the mobile internet era, apps control data and user traffic. In the AI era, the “system-level AI Agent” that schedules everything and spans the whole device will be the soul of the next generation of devices and the new “power center.” Whoever controls this will have the biggest say in app recommendations and user attention.
This is the deep reason why ByteDance chose to partner with ZTE, avoiding the need to develop its own phone and instead directly entering at the operating system level. However, the road to this endpoint is full of obstacles:
Intent framework approach: Needs authorization from third-party apps. But with interest conflicts and data security walls, apps like WeChat will only keep "building higher garden walls."Pure vision approach: No authorization needed; uses "screen reading + simulated clicks." But this returns to direct conflict with WeChat and faces ongoing legal and regulatory risks.
The year of the AI Agent has begun, but the balance between technological innovation and current business ecosystems and security regulations is still being explored.
The participants in this contest include internet giants like Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance, device makers like Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and countless AI startups. Nobody can afford to stay out.
Elon Musk once predicted that eventually apps will disappear, and everything will be generated by AI. Doubao’s recent conflict has kicked off the final battle for the internet landscape for the next decade.
Risk warning and disclaimerThe market has risks, investment requires caution. This article does not constitute individual investment advice, nor does it consider the unique investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of any individual user. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article suit their specific circumstances. Investments made based on this are at your own risk. ```