Chinese cities target facial recognition to curb abuse of personal data

Tianjin introduced a new policy which prohibits private and state-owned organisations as well as business groups from collecting biometric data. Nanjing, the capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province, has ordered property agents to remove facial recognition systems from their sales offices. — SCMP

Several Chinese cities have moved to tighten regulations on the use of facial recognition personal data in line with stricter laws being introduced by the central government to limit the abuse of personal data collection.

Tianjin, one of China’s four municipalities, passed its Municipal Social Credit Regulation on Tuesday, which prohibits private and state-owned companies, industry associations and chambers of commerce from collecting biometric data, including facial recognition information, and using it as social credit information.