Want to surf the web in China?
Cool. They'll just need your face first.
Beijing just released a new rule for residents and internet access: they have to pass a facial recognition test before they can apply to use the internet on their phone or computer.
[Related: Chinese AI Companies Worth Billions Just Blacklisted by the U.S.]
Needless to say, the new law was jaw-dropping.
The Epoch Times covered the story:
First, all telecom carriers must use facial recognition to test whether an applicant who applies for internet connection is the owner of the ID that they use since Dec. 1. At the same time, the carriers must test that the ID is genuine and valid.
Second, all telecom carriers must upgrade their service’s terms and conditions and notify all their customers that they are not allowed to transfer or resell their cell phone SIM card to another person by the end of November 2019.
Third, telecom carriers should help their customers to check whether there are cell phone or landline numbers that don’t belong to them but registered under their names since Dec. 1.
