[Global Issue+] Russia's Facial Recognition Payment 'FacePay'... Misused to Identify Conscripts

Installation in Major Cities Despite Human Rights Controversy
Over 170,000 Cameras in Moscow Alone

[Image source=Getty Images Bank]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It is reported that the Russian government is using the facial recognition payment system, known as 'Face Pay,' which it pushed forward last year amid domestic and international human rights controversy, to track down draft evaders. This is because the number of people fleeing has greatly increased as the situation in Ukraine worsens and many conscripted soldiers have died.

As cases of authoritarian countries such as China and Russia abusing facial recognition programs increase, international human rights organizations are repeatedly urging governments to establish measures to prevent misuse.

Used to Identify Draft Evaders and Protesters... No Protective Legislation Exists

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the UK BBC on the 28th (local time), seven men who were conscripted under the partial mobilization order in Moscow but refused and fled were arrested and detained. They were arrested en masse after paying subway fares using the Face Pay facial recognition payment system or unknowingly having their photos taken by facial recognition cameras installed throughout the city, revealing their whereabouts.

Criticism is rising that the Russian government is abusing the entire facial recognition system to carry out widespread human rights violations. Previously, Moscow introduced the Face Pay system in the subway in October last year and installed it in all 240 subway stations. Additionally, 175,000 facial recognition cameras were installed throughout Moscow city.

The recognition program links users' photos and encrypted biometric codes with bank cards and transportation cards, raising concerns that the state could excessively violate human rights when necessary. However, Russian authorities strongly pushed forward and completed installation in major metropolitan areas.

The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged legal measures to prevent human rights violations, stating that Russian authorities are using the facial recognition program not only to identify conscripted soldiers but also to arrest peaceful protesters. HRW pointed out that Russia has no restrictions on government use of facial recognition programs and lacks legal protections for those under surveillance.

China Ranks First Globally in Facial Recognition Technology... 400 Million Surveillance Cameras

In fact, compared to Russia, China is far ahead in facial recognition surveillance camera technology and deployment. It is known that out of approximately 700 million surveillance cameras worldwide, more than 400 million are in China.

In particular, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China is known as a massive testing ground for facial recognition technology. China reportedly installed facial recognition cameras equipped with biometric information at 3-meter intervals in major urban areas to monitor about 12 million Uygurs living in Xinjiang. The local public security bureau has even announced that some cameras are equipped with systems that detect facial expressions and pore changes, including lie detection functions.

According to CNN, in 2018, the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly patented advanced facial recognition camera software capable of identifying Uygurs with Huawei, and these cameras are installed and used on-site. It is known that they plan to develop technology capable of distinguishing all 56 ethnic minorities in the future. The controversy over human rights violations in the international community is expected to intensify further.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.