China is apparently working on a system that some security experts describe as one of the most advanced surveillance technology networks in the world, with millions of cameras in public places, increasing use of techniques such as smartphone tracking and facial recognition.
Security officials from Henan province, one of China’s largest provinces, have set up a new surveillance system to monitor journalists and international students among other “suspicious people,” Reuters reported. Reuters could not determine whether the system is currently working.
Journalists, foreign students and foreign students residing illegally will be followed.
A tender document dated July 29 published on the Henan provincial government’s procurement website; A system that compiles personal files of people coming to Henan using 3,000 facial recognition cameras connected to various national and regional database devices gave some details on their plan. The US-based surveillance research firm IPVM, which has been closely monitoring the network’s expansion, said the tender was unique in that it identified journalists as surveillance targets and provided a plan for public safety officials to quickly locate journalists and block their work.
“While the People’s Republic of China has a documented history of detaining and punishing journalists for doing their job, this document marks the first known example of China creating private security technology to streamline state repression of journalists,” said Donald Maye, IPVM’s Chief of Operations. ‘ he said.
The nearly 200-page tender document, which is not accessible to the public, does not contain any information about why China wants to follow journalists or international students. In addition, one of the categories requested to be monitored in the document is ‘women from neighboring countries residing illegally’. As the document says, the cameras used can create a relatively accurate file even for people whose faces are partially covered by masks or glasses, and the targeted ones can be searched in the database simply by uploading an image or searching for facial features.
Journalists identified by the system, which will be operated by at least 2,000 officers and police, will be divided into three categories, red, yellow and green, in order of risk. In addition, the focus will be on “foreign journalists” rather than journalists in general. It is also stated in the tender that the system can track the movements of international students, especially on important dates such as the country’s national day and the annual parliamentary meeting, through methods such as mobile phone positioning and travel reservations.
While Reuters could not find any documents identifying journalists or foreigners as specific targets of surveillance systems in other parts of China, the Henan province government and police did not comment on the matter. In addition, there was no statement from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. However, some press freedom groups say the ruling Chinese Communist Party has tightened its control over the media since Chinese President Xi Jinping took office in 2012. After all, it’s extremely worrying to know how a system that neglects personal rights can be used in the wrong hands.
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