Public toilets in China are making people watch ads for toilet paper

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The recent innovation in China’s public toilets, equipped with smart technology, is generating a lot of buzz online, and it could arguably be the most unsettling example yet.

Circulating on Chinese social media are videos showing novel dispensers in the country, where users must either view an advertisement or pay a small amount to obtain toilet paper.

In a widely-shared video posted by China Insider, a woman can be observed using her phone to scan a QR code, after which she was compelled to watch an advertisement prior to receiving a printed ticket.

The report states that users have two options: they can opt to view an advertisement or alternatively pay approximately 0.5 yuan (equivalent to about $0.07) for each roll of toilet paper. Authorities argue that this new system was implemented to combat waste, as there were instances where some individuals had been excessively using the free toilet paper.

New toilets make users watch ads to get toilet paper

On various occasions, Chinese restrooms have gained attention in media. In the year 2017, facilities even incorporated facial recognition technology at popular tourist locations, distributing a roll of toilet paper approximately 60 centimeters long only after every nine minutes since each individual scan.

By 2019, new dispensers extended the wait to ten minutes per person.

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In simple terms, many people have responded negatively to this ad-based system, as one user commented, “I carry my own newspaper everywhere, just in case.” Another user noted that China seems to be more capitalist than the United States.

“Ok, this is the first actually dystopian thing I have seen,” someone else said.

Some people have jokingly suggested that you might find a bit of entertainment while relieving yourself by watching an advertisement.

Another way to phrase this could be: Additionally, there’s a significant issue to consider: in case someone’s phone is out of battery or they lack coins, they might find themselves in a very unpleasant and literal predicament.

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2025-09-12 00:48