China's Facial Recognition Boom Sparks Urgent Call for Protections
Facial recognition technology has seamlessly integrated into everyday activities on the mainland, being utilized by both police departments and various establishments such as hotels, residential complexes, college campuses, and retail centers.
While the increasingly sophisticated technology can make identification quicker, easier and more convenient, there have been growing public concerns about the risk of leaks and other privacy breaches.
The introduction of new rules addressing these issues by limiting the usage of facial recognition technology and emphasizing the necessity of gaining consent is thus a positive step forward.
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Rules issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Public Security will take effect in June.
Service providers will need to obtain consent prior to using an individual’s facial data and should offer a way for individuals to revoke this permission. Additionally, those utilizing such technology must provide alternative methods of identification for users.
The rules limit the online dissemination of facial recognition data, mandate security protocols to avoid breaches, and forbid using this technology in locations where privacy is typically anticipated, like hotel rooms and restrooms.
These regulations demonstrate an effort to embrace a more moderate stance regarding the utilization of facial recognition technology, which has become increasingly widespread. The aim is to enhance privacy protections and enforce necessary precautions. Such developments are indeed encouraging.
In 2021, the Supreme People's Court released an interpretation that essentially prohibited the usage of these scanners in public areas like malls and hotels without obtaining permission first. Additionally, the personal information protection law, which similarly mandates consent, came into force later in the same year.
Last year, Shanghai officials instructed local hotels to avoid using facial recognition for guest identification if alternatives were available. There was worry that employing this technology during check-ins might discourage international travelers from visiting the area.
Hong Kong is only starting to embrace facial recognition technology. Since 1995, the city has been governed by a personal data protection law. It is essential for this legislation to stay current with advancements in technology.
Facial recognition offers many benefits, from catching criminals to cutting queues. But it must be used in a way that balances those advantages with protection for data subjects and the prevention of abuse.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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