China Implements New Regulations for Facial Recognition Technology
New measures aim to standardize the use of facial recognition and enhance personal information protection.
BEIJING — China has announced new regulatory measures regarding the application of facial recognition technology, aiming to establish standardized practices and safeguard individuals' rights to personal information.
The set of measures, jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the Ministry of Public Security, will take effect on June 1, 2025.
The regulatory framework outlines fundamental requirements and processing protocols for the handling of facial data, specifies security standards for the technology's application, and delineates supervisory and management responsibilities.
A key feature of the measures is the introduction of a non-mandatory principle regarding the use of facial recognition.
Particularly in high-contact areas such as hotel check-ins and residential entrances, it is stipulated that facial recognition cannot be the sole method of identity verification if alternative options that meet the same purpose are available.
Individuals who choose not to consent to facial recognition for identity verification must be provided with reasonable and accessible alternatives, as detailed in the regulations.
The document underscores that facial recognition data constitutes sensitive personal information.
An official from the CAC noted that breaches of this data can lead to serious risks to personal and property security, as well as potential threats to public safety.
The introduction of these measures coincides with the increasing prevalence of facial recognition technology in various sectors including finance, transportation, and consumption.
While the deployment of such technologies has bolstered the growth of the digital economy and enhanced convenience for individuals, it has simultaneously raised concerns regarding privacy and the risk of personal data leaks, prompting significant public attention.
China has emphasized the importance of protecting personal information through legislative frameworks.
The Personal Information Protection Law, enacted in November 2021, mandates that national cyberspace authorities collaborate with relevant agencies to develop specific rules for the protection of personal information linked to emerging technologies, including facial recognition.
Additional provisions concerning the processing of personal data are integrated within the Cybersecurity Law, the Data Security Law, and regulations on network data security management.
The CAC official remarked that the introduction of these new measures represents a significant advancement in the implementation of the existing legal framework regarding personal information protection.
The set of measures, jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the Ministry of Public Security, will take effect on June 1, 2025.
The regulatory framework outlines fundamental requirements and processing protocols for the handling of facial data, specifies security standards for the technology's application, and delineates supervisory and management responsibilities.
A key feature of the measures is the introduction of a non-mandatory principle regarding the use of facial recognition.
Particularly in high-contact areas such as hotel check-ins and residential entrances, it is stipulated that facial recognition cannot be the sole method of identity verification if alternative options that meet the same purpose are available.
Individuals who choose not to consent to facial recognition for identity verification must be provided with reasonable and accessible alternatives, as detailed in the regulations.
The document underscores that facial recognition data constitutes sensitive personal information.
An official from the CAC noted that breaches of this data can lead to serious risks to personal and property security, as well as potential threats to public safety.
The introduction of these measures coincides with the increasing prevalence of facial recognition technology in various sectors including finance, transportation, and consumption.
While the deployment of such technologies has bolstered the growth of the digital economy and enhanced convenience for individuals, it has simultaneously raised concerns regarding privacy and the risk of personal data leaks, prompting significant public attention.
China has emphasized the importance of protecting personal information through legislative frameworks.
The Personal Information Protection Law, enacted in November 2021, mandates that national cyberspace authorities collaborate with relevant agencies to develop specific rules for the protection of personal information linked to emerging technologies, including facial recognition.
Additional provisions concerning the processing of personal data are integrated within the Cybersecurity Law, the Data Security Law, and regulations on network data security management.
The CAC official remarked that the introduction of these new measures represents a significant advancement in the implementation of the existing legal framework regarding personal information protection.
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