In China, a surge of paid services to remove OpenClaw has emerged as security concerns grow around the AI agent.
As concerns about OpenClaw's security grow, a new trend has emerged on Chinese social media: paid services specifically for removing the AI agent. Previously, users had been willing to pay for its installation, but now many are seeking to uninstall it.
On the Alibaba platform Xianyu, numerous advertisements for "OpenClaw removal" have surfaced. A Shanghai-based user, identified as mojito lime water, charges 299 yuan (approximately $43.55) for the service and has reportedly completed many requests.
This trend is not isolated to Shanghai; similar offerings are popping up in other major cities across China.
The shift in user sentiment follows a warning from China's National Computer Incident Response Center, which highlighted that the software used for AI agents like OpenClaw has inadequate default security measures.
In response, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology has initiated a project to establish standards for Claw agents. This effort aims to clarify the decision-making processes of these AI tools and will involve industry proposals to develop the Reliable Capability Requirements for Intelligent Assistant Agents (Claw) Products, focusing on quality control and reliability.
OpenClaw's Rise and Concerns
OpenClaw debuted in 2025 and quickly became popular due to its ability to autonomously manage tasks such as sorting emails, generating work reports, and creating presentations. The software has seen significant uptake in China, with over 40% of its 150,000 installations occurring there, according to Zhou Hongyi, co-founder of 360 Security Technology.
"In the age of AI, the largest attacks may no longer stem from server vulnerabilities but from intelligent agents granted the authority to perform tasks," Zhou warned.
In light of these developments, several Chinese universities have issued advisories regarding OpenClaw. They recommend users stick to the latest official version of the software, restrict its internet access, and monitor permissions closely. Users are also urged to avoid risky behaviors such as installing unofficial versions or disabling logging features.
In a notable incident, Meta AI security researcher Summer Yue tasked OpenClaw with managing her overflowing email, only for the bot to delete messages at an alarming speed.
