Facing The Future: Chinese Regulators Grapple With Facial Recognition Technology

Introduction

Facial recognition technology ("FRT"), an innovation that has garnered both praise and concern, has become increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, from unlocking smartphones to clocking in at work. While it offers numerous benefits, such as convenience and improved security, it also raises significant concerns about privacy and security. To address these concerns, the Cyberspace Administration of China has recently released the Provisions on the Security Management of FRT Application (Trial) (Draft for Soliciting Opinions) ("Draft"). This article delves into the nuances of the Draft that we found interesting and their potential implications.

Purpose

Article 1 states that the purpose of the Draft is "to regulate the application of facial recognition technology, protect rights and interests in personal information [("PI")] and other personal and property rights and interests, maintain social order and public security." It is notable that the