As I see it | Digital sentries were sent to curb Covid-19. Will they still be keeping watch when the pandemic is over?
- Outbreaks in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai seemed to accelerate the push for more advanced devices to control the movement of people
- Authorities pledge that health codes will only be used for pandemic control but there are lingering fears that local officials could abuse pandemic measures
Such measures were meant to make it more convenient for the residents to get around more easily, especially the elderly who find health codes difficult to use, mainland media said.
In Beijing’s Shijingshan district, 294 residential complexes recently integrated facial recognition with the city’s health code in devices at their gates. Health codes and PCR test and vaccination records are displayed when faces are scanned at the gate.
Outbreaks in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai appear to have accelerated the push to have more advanced devices to control the movement of people.
Speaking at a press conference in Shanghai on May 23, vice-director of the city’s big data centre, Zhu Junwei, said all public venues and residential areas should install QR codes to allow entry or have “digital sentries” – advanced devices combining a thermometer, health code reading, facial recognition, identity card information and door access – to strengthen their pandemic control.
Everbright Security estimates market demand for digital sentries in Shanghai could reach 5 billion yuan (US$740 million), while the potential market demand countrywide may reach 50 billion yuan, according to International Finance News.