Chinese Government Issues Draft Rules On Facial Recognition

China’s Cyberspace Administration has unveiled proposed regulations aimed at enhancing the oversight and responsible use of face recognition technology within the country.

The draft regulations, titled “Regulations on the Safety Management of Face Recognition Technology Application (Trial Implementation) (Draft for Comment),” are open for public feedback until September 7, 2023. The move comes in response to the growing adoption of facial recognition technology and concerns surrounding privacy, data security, and potential misuse.

Under these proposed regulations, the use of face recognition technology within China’s borders must adhere to a set of guidelines that emphasize compliance with existing laws, such as the Network Security Law, Data Security Law, and Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China. The regulations focus on safeguarding personal information, protecting individual rights and property, and maintaining public safety and social order. The regulations stipulate that face recognition technology can only be used when there is a specific purpose and sufficient necessity, and strict protection measures must be implemented.

The proposed rules encourage the application of face recognition technology in a responsible manner. They emphasize obtaining individual consent or written consent when processing face information, especially for minors under the age of 14. Additionally, the regulations outline measures to prevent the unauthorized collection, storage, and use of personal images and identification information.

While the regulations aim to govern the use of face recognition technology across sectors, their successful implementation will depend on effective oversight and cooperation between relevant authorities, businesses, and technology providers.

Source: China Netcom

–

August 8, 2023 – by the FindBiometrics Editorial Team