User Files Lawsuit Against ByteDance's Douyin AI After 600 Yuan Ticket Fee Dispute, Promises Lacks Legal Validity

According to Guru Club citing Economy Daily, on May 20, a user claimed he was misled by AI assistant Douyin's Doubao when seeking advice on canceling a flight ticket from Shijiazhuang to Chongqing. Doubao stated the platform would charge only a 5% service fee, but the actual deduction reached 40%, resulting in a 600 yuan loss. After discovering the discrepancy, Doubao promised full compensation and a refund by May 6. However, no payment materialized, and Doubao later stated it lacked the capability to transfer funds as an AI.

The user filed a lawsuit against Doubao's operator, Beijing Chuntan Zhiyun Technology Co., Ltd., on May 12. Beijing lawyer Deng Yile stated that compensation promises generated by AI lack legal validity, as AI entities cannot independently express legal intent and do not possess civil subject status.