Citizens in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province have their faces scanned to enter the city’s metro service on Monday at two pilot stations equipped with facial recognition systems. Passengers need to register their personal information in advance on the metro operator’s app. Photo: VCG

Shenzhen in South China’s Guangdong Province will increase penalties for illegal installation of cameras and face recognition systems with the maximum fine of 50,000 yuan ($7,732.04) for individual and 200,000 yuan for organizations, according to media reports. 

According to the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on Tuesday, a draft management regulation targeting public security of video and image information system was recently submitted to local authorities for review.

To better protect personal privacy, the draft regulation clearly prohibits the installation of public security video image information systems in public bathrooms, consultation rooms, hotel rooms and other places or areas that may disclose the privacy of citizens.

Moreover, facial recognition systems, when used, must be installed in accordance with relevant laws and rules. 

Local authorities will order rectification within a certain period of time and impose a fine of more than 10,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan for individuals, more than 50,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan for units, and more than 10,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan for the person directly in charge and other directly responsible personnel.

China’s cyberspace regulator and other departments have been stepping up regulations on illegal use of cameras to spy on individuals, trading privacy videos, and other violations of citizens' personal privacy since May, CCTV reported on August 11. 

Regulators urged all platforms to address the more than 22,000 related illegal and harmful items of information, handle more than 4,000 platform accounts and 132 groups, with more than 1,600 pieces of illegal products being removed to date.

Global Times