China has introduced a new face recognition system that allows travelers on the subway to use their faces as payment methods.
The technology developed by internet giant Tencent allows people over the age of 60 to enter some subway stations in Shenzhen for free by signing up with the system.
A similar system is also implemented in Jinan, Shandong province in eastern China, and small-scale trials are in Shanghai, Qingdao, Nanjing and Nanning.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Shenzhen initiative, first announced by the country's official news agency Xinhua, is expected to spread to other age groups.
The facial recognition technology used in China was previously criticized by privacy advocates as well as China's social networking network Weibo users.
China's renowned widespread surveillance network includes more than 170 million closed-circuit camera systems and cameras use artificial intelligence to identify people even when their faces are hidden.
Last year, "walking recognition" technology was introduced to recognize people from walking.
Among the surveillance initiatives in the country is also the so-called “spy bird” program, where swarms of robots are used to track people from the air.
Pigeon-like unmanned aerial vehicles are equipped with a flight control system that allows ground control, GPS technology and a high-resolution camera.
China's surveillance network feeds on the controversial social credit system, which aims to reinforce the state's rhetoric of “maintaining trust and losing trust”.
Rating points of those entering trouble with the system has been reduced. This means that they may not be able to access the best hotels, high-speed internet connection and even send their children to first-class schools.
In exceptional circumstances, Chinese citizens may be prohibited from traveling or traveling abroad. Last year, it was announced that more than one million 20 black-list passengers were denied high-speed train travel and air travel.
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