Some public toilets in China are taking the concept of “pay to use” to a whole new level — by making visitors watch an advert before they can get toilet paper.
A video shared by China Insider shows a person scanning a QR code on a smart toilet paper dispenser. To receive a few squares of paper, users must either watch a short ad or pay 0.5 RMB (around 5p) to skip it.
The move has sparked a wave of criticism online, with many calling it “dystopian” and raising concerns about hygiene and accessibility. “What if someone’s phone is dead, or they don’t have spare change?” one commenter asked on social media.
According to local reports, the system is being promoted as a way to cut down on waste, after officials claimed that some people were taking excessive amounts of free paper from public restrooms.
This isn’t China’s first attempt to control toilet paper use. Back in 2017, Beijing’s famous Temple of Heaven Park introduced dispensers that used facial recognition to stop visitors from taking too much paper. The machines would only release a 60-centimeter strip at a time, and wouldn’t dispense more to the same person for nine minutes — though staff were instructed to help in cases of “urgent need.”
While it’s unclear exactly where the new ad-powered dispensers are located, reports suggest they could be part of a broader push to reduce misuse of free supplies in public areas.
Critics say the idea represents a strange blend of technology and capitalism — in a country where even bathroom breaks can now involve advertisements.
