Shenzhen’s jaywalkers get scolded on WeChat and shamed on public screens

Jaywalking in most major cities will usually result in nothing more serious than a stern look from the police.

But cross the road when you’re not supposed to in Shenzhen and you could get a message on your phone from the police -- and see your face plastered on a giant screen.

In an effort to crack down on jaywalking, the city started publicly shaming offenders last year. Using cameras and facial recognition, offenders see their image and names flash up on giant digital screens by the roadside.

Now one company says they’re in talks to link the system with people’s phones. Intellifusion told the South China Morning Post that they’re currently speaking to mobile providers, WeChat and social media like Sina Weibo.

It would allow the police to send warnings and even fines directly to people on their phones, reducing the need to build big screens at every intersection.