Recently, the AI entity “OpenClaw” has been gaining significant attention in China. According to foreign media such as Bloomberg and industry sources, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has urgently ordered the shutdown of OpenClaw in sensitive entities including state-owned banks, government agencies, and the military due to concerns about its high privilege features potentially leading to data leaks.
OpenClaw, a open-source AI software that debuted at the end of 2025, features a red lobster as its icon, leading Chinese netizens to nickname it “raising lobsters.” Unlike traditional conversational AI, OpenClaw boasts strong system automation capabilities: it can directly read and write local files, handle emails, manage schedules, and even execute complex computer tasks without manual intervention.
The tool quickly gained popularity for its ability to “truly work for people.” However, because OpenClaw requires deep control of the system to operate, this poses a “time bomb” for the CCP regime that emphasizes absolute control over information.
On March 10, the CCP’s National Internet Emergency Response Center issued a risk alert regarding the secure use of OpenClaw. The alert mentioned that the download and usage of OpenClaw applications have been rampant recently, with mainstream cloud platforms in China offering one-click deployment services. This intelligent software can directly control computers based on natural language commands. However, due to its default weak security configurations, attackers can easily gain full control of the system once they find a vulnerability.
The alert also stated that due to improper installation and use of OpenClaw intelligence entity, serious security risks have emerged: network attackers can induce OpenClaw to read web pages containing hidden malicious instructions, potentially leading to the leakage of user system keys; due to misunderstanding user commands and intentions, OpenClaw may permanently delete important information such as emails; several plugins suitable for OpenClaw have been identified as malicious or pose potential security risks, enabling malicious activities like stealing keys upon installation.
According to Bloomberg on March 11, informed sources reported that state-owned enterprises and government agencies, including large banks, have been notified to restrict the deployment of OpenClaw on office computer equipment and environments due to security concerns. Those who have already installed related applications need to immediately stop using them and arrange for deletion or report for security inspection.
The sources further stated that large state-owned banks and some government departments completely prohibit employees from installing this tool on office computers and using personal phones connected to the company network. Military families are also subject to related restrictions, with only some institutions allowed to install OpenClaw after obtaining approval.
Ironically, on the eve of the CCP’s ban, several local governments in mainland China blindly chased after the trend. Areas such as Hangzhou Xiaoshan District and Hefei High-tech Zone previously introduced substantial subsidy policies, attempting to build OpenClaw-like projects into local AI industry showcases.
This chaotic situation of “local subsidy frenzy and central urgent prohibition” reflects the CCP’s governance anxiety under the pressure of AI competition.