August 5, 2024 at 01:22AM
Chinese app developers are beta testing a national cyberspace ID system that uses facial recognition and real names. 71 private internet apps and 10 government apps are involved, including WeChat, Taobao, and Xiaohongshu. The system aims to serve as a physical and online credential, eliminating the need to provide personal information to ISPs. Some have raised privacy concerns.
From the meeting notes, it is clear that Chinese app developers have signed up to beta test a national cyberspace ID system using facial recognition technology and real names of users, as reported by Chinese media. The system aims to provide both physical and online credentials, eliminating the need for citizens to provide personal information to internet service providers (ISPs). The beta test involves logging in with a virtual number issued by an app after providing ID verification, facial recognition, linking mobile phones, and setting an eight-digit password.
It’s worth noting that some individuals have expressed concerns about privacy and one citizen has filed a suit within the Dongcheng District Court of Beijing over the app, expressing that since it is in the comment soliciting stage, it should not already be the subject of a pilot program.