Letters | Why many in Hong Kong will not be smiling at facial recognition technology

Name: China’s facial recognition technology identifies people wearing masks amid the Covid-19 epidemic
Uploaded: 2020-11-05T23:10:14.000Z
Duration: 59 s
Description: China’s facial recognition technology identifies people wearing masks amid the Covid-19 epidemic

The idea that facial recognition data could be misused is shocking but it is a fact. Government officials should be aware that Hongkongers’ fear of being monitored will prompt strong resistance to any such plans

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A new thermal temperature detector using 5G scans customers at a market in Suzhou, in China’s Jiangsu province, on February 20. When these devices detect anyone with a high temperature, they send out warning signals and identify the person using facial recognition technology. Photo: Imaginechina

Letters

Published: 7:10am, 6 Nov 2020Updated: 7:10am, 6 Nov 2020

I am writing to express my opinion on facial recognition technology in place across China and any similar roll-out in Hong Kong (“Facial recognition data leaks are rampant in China as Covid-19 pushes wider use of the technology” (October 8).

Facial recognition can also apply to automated temperature measuring, as under the current pandemic. Covid-19 has changed our daily routine: having our temperature checked is common in public places, with forehead thermometer and infrared thermal imaging machines ubiquitous. Non-contact scanners or kiosks can offer a mix of biometric facial recognition, mask detection and infrared body temperature scanning. This technology makes it easy for businesses or communities to screen and track down symptomatic patients and contain coronavirus outbreaks.

However, although facial recognition benefits us during the pandemic, its use has sparked concern about data security among Chinese citizens, as you have reported. The idea that facial recognition data could be misused is shocking but it is a fact, and it is not hard to see why a law professor in Beijing sent out legal letters of objection when her residential neighbourhood decided to install such a system.

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China’s facial recognition technology identifies people wearing masks amid the Covid-19 epidemic

I am reminded of the Hong Kong government’s plans to install 400 multifunctional smart lamp posts, unveiled in July last year. The project, which was implemented during the extradition bill movement, further fuelled public distrust of the government. Some radical protesters even destroyed several of the smart lamp posts. Government officials should be aware that Hongkongers’ fear of being monitored will prompt strong resistance to any such plans. Last year’s protests proved that it is unsustainable for the government to keep ignoring public opinion.

In a nutshell, there is no quick fix to balancing the issues of facial recognition and data privacy. Technological advancement will change how we live, as the world moves deeper into the era of artificial intelligence. But while facial recognition is a manifestation of the power of technology, is it absolutely necessary? Concerns about data security and privacy outweigh the benefits of this technology.

The government should carefully assess the costs and benefits of using facial recognition technology in Hong Kong, and not repeat last year’s mistakes.

Coco Siu, Wong Tai Sin