The State of Surveillance

With one of the highest rates of surveillance globally, China has integrated facial recognition into daily life. As of 2019, it became mandatory for individuals registering new SIM cards to undergo facial recognition checks. The country currently possesses approximately 170 million surveillance cameras, equating to one camera for every 12 citizens. Projections suggest this figure could surge to 570 million soon.

At this pace, China is poised to dominate the facial recognition market, accounting for nearly 45% of global technology by 2023. While this technology is utilized in 98 countries, its implementation in China is unparalleled due to the absence of privacy legislation and the existence of an authoritarian government.

Despite widespread dissatisfaction and legal actions against these practices, citizens have limited recourse. The government can enforce such measures under the guise of national security and public safety. Recently, there has been a focus on fostering “positive energy” through ideological campaigns aimed at promoting specific expressions while suppressing others.

Emerging Technologies: Emotion Recognition

Facial recognition technology identifies individuals by matching facial features. However, a newer and more invasive innovation is emotion recognition technology. This system collects sensitive personal data to monitor and profile individuals, employing machine learning to interpret various emotional cues. It can analyze expressions of anger, sadness, happiness, and boredom, alongside other biometric signals like vocal tone and body movements.

Public Sentiment and Company Perspective

Many citizens are apprehensive about these surveillance measures but feel powerless to resist. According to Chen Wei from Taigusys, a company specializing in emotion recognition technology, compliance is often the only option available to the populace. “If the police mandate the installation of cameras in a community, residents must accept it.”

Taigusys has implemented its technology in around 300 prisons and detention centers, linking 60,000 cameras. While critics argue that such systems threaten human rights and personal privacy, proponents assert that they can help identify potential threats, monitor at-risk youths, and assist healthcare providers in caring for the elderly.

In stark contrast to companies in the US, Japan, or Europe, Taigusys operates without stringent privacy regulations, allowing for the rapid development and deployment of its products. Consequently, Chinese citizens may feel an increasing pressure to suppress emotions like anger or frustration.