Across China, facial-recognition technology is already being put to use. In some cases, the technology can scan the entire population in just one second.

Across China, facial-recognition technology is already being put to use. In some cases, the technology can scan the entire population in just one second. Even more frightening, reports from 2018 have indicated their surveillance systems have a 99.8% accuracy rate. Now, with the upcoming launch of their social credit system on December 1st, they’ve upped the ante.

In late September, a directive by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) declared that all Chinese citizens will need to show his or her ID card while applying for a landline or the internet. Though, once the law is put into effect, Chinese citizens will be subjected to facial recognition exams prior to using the internet on their cell phones and computers. With this, the Chinese government will use the internet to rate citizens based on their daily online behavior.

According to developers, this particular system works regardless of angle or lighting condition, adding to their already-extensive “Skynet” surveillance system. This news came directly on the heels of yet another Chinese program which allows citizens to pay for subway/train travel using facial biometrics. And it only gets worse.

Already, China’s cities, classrooms, and even restrooms have been invaded by facial recognition technology. Inside classrooms, this technology monitors students and reports their actions to their teachers and parents. While, to access the basic need of using toilet paper in a public bathroom, citizens are required to scan their face, just to wipe their butt.

To say Chinese surveillance is widespread would be an understatement… In fact, China currently has around 170 million surveillance cameras nationwide, and by 2020, they hope to have 570 million. If you do the math, that’s nearly one camera for every two citizens.

Officially, this technology has mainly been used to increase efficiencies and improve policing. A few examples include: catching jaywalkers, finding fugitives, tracking people’s regular hangout, and even predicting crime before it happens. And though, as demonstrated, this is far from their only use, the results have been massive. In the last two years, China reports this system has single handedly led to at least 10,000 arrests – though many believe the number to be much higher. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning.

China is planning to merge its 170+ million security cameras with artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to create a mega-surveillance state. This only compounds the issue in light of their soon-to-be social credit system.

In fact, according to the latest report of U.S.-based market research firm, IDC, China had spent $10.6 billion on video surveillance equipment in 2018 alone. The firm adds that China’s spending is believed to reach $20.1 billion in 2023. A massive 64.3% of China’s spending in 2018 was spent solely for surveillance cameras, and in 2017, China applied for more than five times the amount of AI patents than the U.S.

With no signs of stopping, China has officially become the world’s first dystopian society. What we once read only in future fiction novels is now a reality for the people of China… which begs the question: is this technology coming to the West? Or, better yet – when is it coming to the West?

With the events surrounding Edward Snowden and the PRISM program, the establishment of the Patriot Act, and other admitted mass surveillance programs, many would say it already has.

But what do you think? Will Western rights and freedoms protect us from this kind of technology? Or is China just a sign of things to come? Let us know in the comments below.