China’s cyberspace regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), has introduced new regulations governing the use of facial recognition technology, emphasizing that individuals should not be compelled to use facial recognition for identity verification. The move comes in response to growing concerns about data privacy and the widespread deployment of this technology across various sectors.
The new rules, set to take effect in June, stipulate that individuals who do not consent to identity verification via facial recognition should be provided with alternative methods that are reasonable and convenient. This regulation aims to curb practices such as using facial recognition for tasks like hotel check-ins or accessing gated communities, which have become more common in recent years.
The CAC also stresses that companies collecting facial data must obtain explicit consent before processing any information. Although the regulations do not address the use of facial recognition by security authorities, they require that any area where the technology is deployed must display clear signage informing the public.
These regulations are part of broader efforts by China to balance the use of advanced technologies like AI and facial recognition with privacy concerns. Recent surveys have shown widespread public anxiety about the potential misuse of such technology. In response, previous legal measures like the Personal Information Protection Law, which came into effect in November 2021, have mandated stricter controls on the collection and use of personal data.
