Berlin plans tighter rules to shield tech firms from non-EU takeovers

20:05, November 28, 2019

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  Why Chinese tech giants want rules on facial recognition

  Machines at a supermarket in China that allow consumers to pay by scanning their faces. (Photo: VCG)Over 20 tech companies in China kick-started the development of the first national standard for facial recognition technology on Wednesday, signaling the countrys resolve to regulate the increasingly widespread use of the technology across industries.Led by Chinese artificial intelligence company SenseTime, the group working on a draft standard includes Chinese tech giants Tencent and Ant Financial. In an announcement, SenseTime said the wide application of facial recognition technology "has led to a series of problems including identity theft and security risks due to a lack of regulation in the collection, storage and processing of facial data."Facial recognition has been used widely across China, powering the technology to unlock iPhones, go through security checks at airports, and purchase goods with a "smile to pay" at the store.At its core, it is a biometric software application capable of verifying or identifying a person by comparing and analyzing patterns on facial images.Contrary to conventional belief that Chinese consumers are not sensitive to the protection of privacy, public awareness on the issue seems to be on the rise. A recent lawsuit filed by a law professor in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province, dubbed Chinas first lawsuit against the application of facial recognition technology, sparked national debate. The professor sued a wildlife park for requiring the collection of facial data without asking for permission from customers."Physical characteristics including facial features and fingerprints, are some of the most important identifiers for individuals. Unlike our ID which can be modified, our biometric information stays permanent for life," said Zhang Xin, associate professor and assistant dean at the School of Law of the University of International Business and Economics, in an interview with...

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  Indian talents follow their dreams and find their potential in China’s high-tech firms

  Indians living in Xian, Northwest Chinas Shaanxi Province, celebrate the Indian New Year with local residents in 2014. (Photo: VCG)Emerging from a Beijing skyscraper at around 9 pm, an Indian marketing specialist who prefers to be called Arjun, opens an online car-hailing app on his Xiaomi phone to order a taxi as if it were as natural to him as blinking.This is a typical end to his shift at a top Chinese electronics company. He is one of many young Indians fulfilling their ambitions to join the vibrant network of Chinas booming internet sector.Arjun has lived in China for more than five years. He has seamlessly adapted to Chinas e-commerce culture and digitalized lifestyle. The young professional is comfortable with the longer shifts encouraged in Chinas IT and high-tech industry.Arjun graduated from a Chinese university in 2012. After three years he stood in awe at the unprecedented growth of Chinas technological innovation and became determined to settle in the country.More young Indians like Arjun are approaching the Chinese internet and high-tech sector. They are on the hunt for lucrative opportunities and valuable experience emanating from the Chinese digital revolution, some Indian workers in China told the Global Times. Chinas developed online economy is electrifying their career paths.China dreamArjun became enthralled by Chinese high-tech electronics in college after stumbling upon a Chinese music player that worked almost as well as his Apple iPod he bought at twice the price.He is still surprised at how the Chinese tech sector has redefined dining, shopping, entertainment, work, and communication for billions of people."The future of internet companies belongs to China. In many inventions, such as the construction of a 5G network, China is far ahead of many developed countries," Arjun told the Global Times."The pace at which it is growing and emerging in competition from other developed countr...

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  In pics: Christmas markets in Berlin

  Christmas.market.Berlin,.