China is attempting to shape the global standards for facial recognition, video monitoring, and other surveillance tech

China is projected to have one CCTV camera for every two people by 2022 and is leading the charge globally in terms of surveillance capabilities. When I was in China in June I witnessed cameras that automatically pan and scan in search of faces, and was told by a Chinese official that the country has the ability to track someone nearly 100% of the time (via cameras) as they travel from major city to major city.

As such, it is should come as no surprise that China has a vested interest in shaping global standards for facial recognition, video monitoring, city, and vehicle surveillance.

Per leaked documents reported on via the Financial Times, “companies such as ZTE, Dahua and China Telecom are among those proposing new international standards — specifications aimed at creating universally consistent technology — in the UN’s International Telecommunication Union.“

Without commenting on whether the Eastern or Western approach for surveillance is appropriate, this is a serious matter that people should be aware of.

Read more on the Financial Times’ website here: https://www.ft.com/content/c3555a3c-0d3e-11ea-b2d6-9bf4d1957a67

-Adam