Chinese Takeout Shops Use AI Photos to Appear Like Big Restaurants — On-Site Visit Reveals Only a Kitchen

With the widespread use of AI technology today, many Chinese food delivery platform merchants are using AI-generated photos as a gimmick. Recently, a shop in Shanghai was suspected of using AI-generated photos, when in reality it only had a kitchen and did not offer dine-in, sparking consumer discussion. In response, lawyers say this could constitute consumer fraud and false advertising.

According to The Paper, four takeout shops all used lively dine-in scenarios as their photos, but an in-person visit revealed otherwise. “Shan Ye Ren Jia” only had a simple kitchen and offered no dine-in service; another shop, “Chuan Po Niang,” only did delivery and was not suitable for dining in; “Mi Da Heng” displayed photos with a green signboard and queuing scene, but in reality, it was just a fast food shop.

In response, delivery platform Meituan stated that it prohibits businesses from using AI-generated photos to mislead consumers, has set up a special task force, and will require shops to make corrections; delivery platform Ele.me indicated it would strengthen its detection and correction of AI images in shopfronts; delivery platform JD.com had not yet responded.

It is reported that posts offering “AI profile photo ads for restaurants” are easily found on social media, claiming to offer custom avatars with “a sense of story and street style” for shopfronts to increase click-through rates.

Shanghai lawyer Zhao Kuangren pointed out that if a takeout shop uses false or AI-synthesized photos on its business page, it may constitute fraud against consumers and false advertising, and merchants should bear corresponding civil and administrative responsibility. He also emphasized that food delivery platforms should proactively review all merchants on their site, and if they fail to do so, the platform will share in the liability.