China has rolled out a facial recognition software which will be used to scan people registering a new mobile phone number.
The government of China has required anyone trying to register a new mobile phone number to submit to facial scans using its newly launched facial recognition software. According to the government, the use of biometric data"effectively [protects] citizens' legitimate rights and interests in cyberspace" and helps address fraud.
However, the initiative also spurs privacy and security concerns in China, which is already considered one of the most strictly controlled online environments globally. The country currently implements "real-name registration" policies, which force people to link their online accounts with their official government ID.
The addition of a facial scan, which was formally launched on Sunday, further removes any sense of anonymity in the Chinese online community. Around 65% of the over 850 million people living in China use their mobile devices to access the internet, far greater than those using desktop services.
Mobile apps such as WeChat from Tencent have become a staple for many Chinese, as they offer various services from messaging and social networking to taxi services, food delivery and tax payment. According to the government, the new rules regarding facial recognition will only apply to mobile phone numbers registered from December 1, and not to those already registered.
Privacy and security issues
In September, four Chinese researchers who specialize in artificial intelligence (AI) and biometrics pointed out that potential breaches could result to "severe and lasting" effects for the people affected.
They argued: "Facial recognition-powered surveillance systems, if improperly deployed or secured, will not only fail to effectively safeguard public safety, but also may infringe on people' freedom/privacy and provide a source for abuse."
US-based nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation said it was "easy for companies and agencies to tout the convenience of this sort of massive data collection and sharing scheme. But as we've seen in notable privacy fiascos over the last few years ... it's the customers and passengers who will bear the burden when things go wrong, and they will go wrong."
