Telecom operators in China pursue to constrict cyberspace controls by collecting face scans of new phone users who register at offline outlets starting December 8. Last September, China’s commerce and information technology ministry set up rules and instructions that they will enforce real-name registration to ensure the “safeguarding legitimate rights and interests of citizens online”. They should also use “artificial intelligence and other technical means” as instructed by the telecom operators to validate people’s identity.

In 2012, the Chinese social networking site Weibo was obliged to implement the real-name registration. While consumers continually use technology, researchers cautioned them about the risks that facial recognition data have. The Chinese government persuades everyone to “promote the healthy, orderly development of the Internet, protect state security and public interest.”