We know that facial recognition is mainly used to unlock iPhones, but the Chinese government is at least ten steps ahead of every other country when it comes to identifying their citizens through their facial features. A system of over 200 million cameras is synced so that the Chinese government can track down criminals, even in large crowds. Think of it like the CBS show Person of Interest.
The camera system and facial recognition is not only used to catch bad guys, but it also helps with identifying employees going into work and keeps the public safe. It is even being integrated into retail stores in order to give customers a more satisfactory experience.
However, with great power comes great responsibility. The Chinese government, with their hands on such advanced technology, could be used as a weapon for social control. While these breakthroughs should be celebrated and used to the people’s advantage, it becomes more and more unclear each day if this technology could one day be the downfall of society.
