Sellers on Chinese marketplaces have found a unique way to circumvent the platforms' automatic moderation algorithms. They are using generative artificial intelligence to make tactical gear, helmets, and scopes look like soft toys with a plush texture.
Sellers on Chinese marketplaces have found a unique way to circumvent the platforms' automatic moderation algorithms. They are using generative artificial intelligence to make tactical gear, helmets, and scopes look like soft toys with a plush texture.
This was in response to a new joint directive of six state and military departments of the PRC, issued at the end of July 2026. As reported by the Global Times, citing the State Administration for Market Regulation of the PRC, the country completely banned the online and offline sale of decommissioned military equipment, its parts, and replicas.
Under these rules, any decommissioned equipment, ammunition, spare parts, uniforms and related materials are strictly prohibited. Regulators also forbid advertising such items, selling them through unauthorized channels or using components to create convincing imitations.
According to social media users, sellers on popular platforms like Xianyu (Alibaba’s C2C platform) have started processing photos using generative neural networks to preserve their product pages. Images of optical sights and tactical helmets are given a characteristic “fluffy” texture, reminiscent of plush children’s accessories. This allows them to hide military symbols from pattern recognition algorithms and successfully pass moderation.
