https://www.technologyreview.com/f/614781/all-new-cellphone-users-in-china-m... https://www.ft.com/content/c3555a3c-0d3e-11ea-b2d6-9bf4d1957a67 Your demands, coming to you since 1984... A report from MIT Technology Review: Customers in China who buy SIM cards or register new mobile-phone services must have their faces scanned under a new law that came into effect yesterday. China's government says the new rule, which was passed into law back in September, will "protect the legitimate rights and interest of citizens in cyberspace." It can be seen as part of an ongoing push by China's government to make sure that people use services on the internet under their real names, thus helping to reduce fraud and boost cybersecurity. On the other hand, it also looks like part of a drive to make sure every member of the population can be surveilled. The Financial Times reported yesterday that tech companies in China are helping to create influential United Nations standards for the facial recognition technology, which will help shape rules on how facial recognition is used around the world.