Here, people are expected to watch ads for toilet paper.

October 20, 2025, 2:12 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

Advertising is annoying but economically indispensable. That’s why it is a crucial source of income for many digital companies. However, consumers are often irritated by it and are willing to pay extra to avoid it. In China, they are taking it to the extreme with ads: In some public restrooms, toilet paper is only available after watching an ad.

Watch Ads First, Then Get Toilet Paper in China

This is reported by sources such as “Techspot.” According to these reports, there is a trial phase in public restrooms in the East Asian country to combat unnecessary waste. The method? QR codes are displayed on the toilet paper dispensers, which guests must scan with their smartphones.

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Afterward, they must watch a video ad for a few seconds. Once it ends, they receive a predetermined amount of paper. If someone can’t do this (perhaps due to a dead battery or another issue), they can alternatively pay a small fee of 0.5 yuan–about six cents.

Consumers React Critically

Receiving toilet paper only after watching ads is not the first measure to combat paper waste or theft. In 2017, a temple in Beijing even introduced facial recognition for toilet paper. At that time, only a small amount was dispensed every nine minutes. Those needing more had to wait it out.

Unsurprisingly, there are already numerous negative reactions to the idea of watching ads for toilet paper. Some internet users describe it as a dystopian development, similar to Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World.” Another commented, “Dignity is no longer free, but sponsored.” Others highlight potential issues with poor reception, low battery, lack of data, or no small change.

Also interesting: Quickly and easily find public restrooms with a special app

However, on platforms like Reddit, some people view this less critically. Currently, this method does not seem widespread, and it’s not the case that all public restrooms in China operate this way. Someone mentioned that it’s common for toilet paper to be available outside the stall, and people often bring their own. This is especially true for restrooms in more remote areas.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.