China Implements New Regulations on Facial Recognition Technology
China’s Cyberspace Administration has introduced regulations prohibiting forced facial recognition verification. The move reflects growing public concern over privacy risks. Companies must obtain consent for data use and provide alternatives for individuals who refuse facial recognition. The regulations, effective in June, seek to address routine practices like hotel check-ins, amid widespread public anxiety about privacy.
China’s Cyberspace Administration has announced new regulations regarding facial recognition technology, emphasizing that individuals must not be compelled to use such verification methods. This decision arises amid rising societal concerns about the risks associated with widespread facial recognition technology and its implications for data privacy.
While China has implemented facial recognition across various public security sectors to combat crime and monitor dissenters, these recent regulations exclude mention of security authorities’ usages. The new rules stress that individuals should have alternative options for identity verification if they refuse facial recognition.
The regulations aim to address growing issues related to the use of facial recognition in environments such as hotel check-ins and gated communities. Effective June, these guidelines require companies to obtain consent before processing individuals’ facial data, though methods applicable in public spaces are not explicitly defined.
Developers such as Sensetime and Megvii are heavily investing in advanced AI-driven facial recognition technologies. However, the increasing implementation of this technology has raised significant concerns about privacy, with a 2021 survey revealing that 75% of respondents had worries about facial recognition, and 87% were against its use in public business areas.
Previously, the Supreme Court of China prohibited the verification of identities via facial recognition in public spaces and permitted individuals to seek alternative verification methods. Additionally, the Personal Information Protection Law, which came into effect in November 2021, mandates user consent for the gathering of facial data and stipulates severe penalties for non-compliance.
In summary, the new regulations established by China’s Cyberspace Administration regarding facial recognition technology reflect a growing awareness and concern for privacy rights among the Chinese population. As individuals are to be given options beyond facial verification, these measures may indicate a shift towards prioritizing user consent and providing alternatives in identity verification practices. These developments come amidst the backdrop of China’s ongoing integration of facial recognition technology into daily life and raise important considerations for companies operating in this domain.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
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