China Hotels Suspend Mandatory Facial Recognition After Shanghai Introduces Regulations

Hotels across China have suspended mandatory facial recognition systems for guests who present valid identification upon check-in, following the implementation of targeted regulations in Shanghai. Several hotels in Shanghai have posted reminders prohibiting mandatory facial recognition for consumers who already present a valid ID.

Responsible authorities in Shanghai have announced that local hotels should suspend the use of mandatory facial recognition systems for guests who present valid ID. They have issued standard guidelines requiring hotels to obtain consent before applying for facial verification. Under China's Personal Data Protection Act, facial information is considered a biometric tag and can only be processed and used under special circumstances with sufficient necessity and strict protective measures.

China is stepping up efforts to protect consumers' personal data and privacy. Business entities in China are prohibited from collecting excessive personal data when providing goods and services through apps. Multiple hotels in major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, have suspended the mandatory use of facial recognition systems for guests who can provide valid forms of identification.

The new regulations in Shanghai require hotels to obtain approval and demonstrate sufficient necessity before requiring facial verification from guests. Hotels in Shanghai and Beijing now offer standard check-in procedures using government-issued IDs, with facial recognition becoming optional. These shifts align with China's recent efforts to strengthen consumer privacy protections and prevent businesses from collecting excessive personal information.

Why this matters: The suspension of mandatory facial recognition in Chinese hotels reflects a growing focus on personal data protection and privacy in China. As facial recognition technology becomes more prevalent, regulations like those introduced in Shanghai aim to strike a balance between convenience and safeguarding sensitive biometric information.

The changes in hotel check-in procedures across major Chinese cities demonstrate the impact of the Personal Information Protection Law, which categorizes biometric data as sensitive personal data subject to strict regulations. "Some hotels in major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing have suspended the mandatory use of facial recognition systems for guest check-ins when valid government-issued identification is provided," highlighting the shift towards more privacy-conscious practices in the hospitality industry.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese hotels suspend mandatory facial recognition for guests with valid ID.
• Shanghai requires hotels to obtain consent before using facial verification.
• China strengthens consumer privacy protections, limiting excessive data collection.
• Hotel check-in procedures shift to optional facial recognition in major cities.
• Regulations aim to balance convenience and safeguard biometric data privacy.