China issues draft rules for tighter facial recognition oversight

China has issued draft rules tightening how facial recognition technology can be used and the management of related data, as regulators step up protection of user privacy amid widespread use of the technology.

Facial recognition technology should only be used when there is a specific purpose and sufficient necessity, with strict protective measures, according to the draft rules released Tuesday by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). If nonbiometric identification solutions can meet the same objectives, they should be favored over facial recognition, the rules said.