Article: Facial recognition is used in China for everything from refuse collection to toilet roll dispensers and its citizens are growing increasingly alarmed, survey shows

Image for Article: Facial recognition is used in China for everything from refuse collection to toilet roll dispensers and its citizens are growing increasingly alarmed, survey shows

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Impact Score

5 / 10

AI Summary (Processed Content)

A new survey in China indicates growing public skepticism towards the widespread use of facial recognition technology in public and commercial spaces. The survey, cited by state media, shows nearly 90% of respondents oppose its use in commercial areas, with strong disapproval for its application in residential access, hospitals, and schools.

Key concerns among citizens center on data leaks and privacy violations, leading to calls for more regulation of the technology. This skepticism persists despite a traditionally lower emphasis on privacy in China compared to other regions.

The main topics covered are the proliferation of facial recognition technology in China, significant public opposition to its use in various public spaces, and the primary concerns over data privacy and security driving demands for stricter regulation.

Original URL

https://www.scmp.com/tech/innovation/article/3119281/facial-recognition-used-china-everything-refuse-collection-toilet?utm_source=rss_feed

Source Feed

Innovation - South China Morning Post

Published Date

2021-01-26 16:00

Fetched Date

2026-03-04 14:32

Processed Date

2026-03-04 15:11

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Present

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Not Clustered

Raw Extracted Content

Facial recognition is used in China for everything from refuse collection to toilet roll dispensers and its citizens are growing increasingly alarmed, survey shows
- Almost 90 per cent of respondents said they do not want facial recognition in commercial areas, Beijing News survey shows
- Data leaks and privacy remain top concerns, with respondents giving support to more regulation
From streets filled with cameras to apps that require biometric identification, facial recognition use has been growing in China but a new survey by a state media outlet indicates that Chinese residents are sceptical about the use of the technology in public spaces.
And 68.64 per cent thought that facial recognition should not be used to access residential areas, while disapproval of its use in places like hospitals, schools and offices ranged between 43 and 52 per cent.
00:59
China’s facial recognition technology identifies people wearing masks amid the Covid-19 epidemic
“Traditionally the emphasis on privacy and personal data protection among Chinese citizens has not been as high as their counterparts in other jurisdictions,” said Catherine Zheng, a partner at law firm Deacons. ”Despite [this] Chinese citizens are sceptical towards the misappropriation of sensitive personal information for unethical commercial practices.”