Chinese citizens to be required to undergo facial recognition test for internet access

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The Chinese government will introduce a new rule this December requiring the country’s citizens to pass a facial recognition test to gain access to the internet.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced the rule last Sept. 27 via its official website, as per The Epoch Times on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Aside from those applying for internet access, those who wish to sign up for a new mobile or landline number must also pass the test. The rule will be implemented starting on Dec. 1.

The new policy requires all telecommunications carriers in China to update their services’ terms and conditions, and notify all their clients that they will not be allowed to transfer their SIM cards to others by the end of November this year.

MIIT also urges telecommunications carriers to verify whether mobile or landline phone numbers are correctly registered under real names. For those who are not placed under real names, the carriers must investigate and close those numbers.

A statement on MIIT’s website said the rule is being introduced to “earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of citizens in the cyberspace,” as per Quartz last Thursday, Oct. 3.

The new policy follows a previous rule implemented in 2015, as per report, which required people signing up for a new cell phone or landline number to present a valid ID and personal information.  Ryan Arcadio /ra

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