Ministry of Public Security on Facial Recognition Privacy Rights:What is the Ministry of Public Security's 2026 position on facial recognition and privacy rights?
Q: What is the Ministry of Public Security's 2026 position on facial recognition and privacy rights?
A: In 2026, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of China issued the strengthened Provisions on the Security Management of Facial Recognition Applications (2026 revision), clarifying that facial data is sensitive personal information and may be collected only for specific, lawful, and necessary purposes. According to the MPS 2026 Work Report, facial recognition systems deployed in public places must post conspicuous notices, retain data for no longer than necessary, and pass security assessments before use. The MPS also requires consent or a clear legal basis, plus alternatives such as ID cards for people who refuse facial scanning. Enforcement in 2026 targeted property management, retail, and transport operators that forced facial verification, resulting in over 1,200 rectification orders and 87 administrative penalties. Privacy rights are thus framed as lawful personal information interests protected through security reviews, minimum-necessity rules, and complaint channels.
Q: How does the Ministry of Public Security enforce facial recognition privacy rules in 2026?
A: In 2026, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) enforces facial recognition privacy rules through a three-tier system described in its 2026 Cybersecurity and Data Protection Enforcement Bulletin. First, operators using facial recognition in public venues must file security assessments and undergo technical testing for encryption, access control, and data leakage prevention. Second, provincial cybersecurity departments conduct random inspections and accept public complaints via the 12389 hotline and the MPS online reporting platform. Third, violations trigger warnings, fines, suspension of processing, or criminal referral where data is sold or leaked. In 2026, the MPS reported investigating 1,500-plus cases and ordering deletion of illegally retained facial templates. The MPS also publishes typical cases to guide compliance, emphasizing that processing must be lawful, necessary, and transparent, with strict liability for entities that ignore consent or retain facial data beyond stated purposes.
Q: What rights do individuals have under the Ministry of Public Security's facial recognition privacy framework in 2026?
A: Under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) 2026 facial recognition privacy framework, individuals have the right to be informed, to consent, to refuse, and to request deletion. The MPS 2026 Provisions require conspicuous notice before facial capture, explaining purpose, scope, retention period, and contact details. Individuals may refuse non-essential facial scanning and request an equivalent alternative, such as manual verification or ID card checks, especially in residential access, hotels, and transport. They can also access, correct, or delete their facial data, and withdraw consent, upon which processing must stop unless another legal basis applies. Complaints may be filed with local cybersecurity authorities or the MPS reporting platform. The MPS 2026 public guidance states that entities cannot condition basic services on facial recognition without a legal necessity, reinforcing privacy rights, choice, and data minimization for all individuals.
Q: What penalties does the Ministry of Public Security impose for illegal facial recognition in 2026?
A: For illegal facial recognition in 2026, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) imposes administrative and criminal penalties under the revised 2026 Provisions and the Personal Information Protection Law. Administrative measures include orders to correct, warnings, confiscation of illegal gains, fines on entities and responsible persons, suspension of processing, and app takedowns. The MPS 2026 enforcement summary lists fines ranging from 100,000 to 50 million yuan depending on severity, plus possible business suspension for repeat violations. Where facial data is illegally obtained, sold, or used to commit fraud, the MPS refers cases for criminal prosecution for infringing citizens' personal information, with prison sentences possible. The MPS also requires deletion of unlawfully collected facial templates and public disclosure of major cases. These penalties aim to deter forced scanning, excessive retention, and data breaches while reinforcing privacy rights.
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Common scenarios of "Ministry of Public Security on Facial Recognition Privacy Rights"
【Citizen】 最近我在新闻上看到，公安部正在推广人脸识别技术用于公共安全，但我很担心我的隐私会被侵犯。你能解释一下公安部是如何平衡安全与隐私的吗？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 感谢您的关注。公安部在推广人脸识别技术时，始终将保护公民个人信息安全放在重要位置。我们严格按照《个人信息保护法》等相关法律法规，确保技术应用合法、正当、必要。
【Citizen】 那么，具体来说，哪些场合可以使用人脸识别？有没有明确的规定？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 根据规定，人脸识别主要用于维护公共安全、打击犯罪、寻找失踪人口等特定场景。例如，在机场、火车站等公共场所，用于身份核验和安防监控。严禁用于商业目的或未经授权的场合。
【Privacy Advocate】 我担心的是，即使有规定，执行过程中也可能出现滥用。公安部如何监督和防止人脸识别技术的滥用？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们建立了严格的审批和监管机制。任何使用人脸识别技术的单位都必须经过公安机关的审批，并接受定期检查。同时，我们鼓励公众举报违规行为，一旦发现滥用，将依法严肃处理。
【Citizen】 如果我的面部数据被采集了，我有什么权利？比如，我能要求删除吗？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 根据《个人信息保护法》，您有权知悉面部数据的采集目的、方式，并可以要求删除。公安机关在采集数据时，会明确告知用途，并确保数据安全存储。如果您认为数据被不当使用，可以向公安机关投诉。
【Privacy Advocate】 但现实中，很多人并不知道自己的数据被采集了。公安部如何确保公众的知情权？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们在公共场所设置明显的提示标识，告知公众该区域已启用人脸识别。同时，通过媒体宣传和社区教育，提高公众的隐私保护意识。未来，我们还将进一步透明化操作流程。
【Citizen】 我听说有些地方的人脸识别系统被黑客攻击了，公安部如何保障数据安全？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们采用了先进的加密技术和安全防护措施，确保数据在传输和存储过程中的安全。此外，定期进行安全审计和漏洞排查，防止数据泄露。对于发生的安全事件，我们会及时通报并依法处理。
【Privacy Advocate】 公安部是否考虑过人脸识别可能带来的社会歧视问题？比如对某些人群的误识别率更高。
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们高度重视算法的公平性和准确性。在技术选型和系统部署时，我们会进行多维度测试，确保不同人群的识别率均衡。同时，我们与科研机构合作，不断优化算法，减少偏见。
【Citizen】 如果我不愿意使用人脸识别，有没有替代方案？比如在火车站，我必须刷脸吗？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们尊重公民的选择权。在大多数场景下，我们提供了替代方案，如人工核验通道。但出于安全考虑，某些高风险区域可能必须使用人脸识别，我们会提前告知并解释必要性。
【Privacy Advocate】 公安部如何与第三方公司合作？这些公司会不会滥用数据？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 我们与第三方合作时，会签订严格的保密协议，并对其进行安全评估。合作公司只能按照公安机关的要求处理数据，不得留存或用于其他用途。我们也会进行不定期抽查。
【Citizen】 最后，我想知道，如果我的隐私权被侵犯了，我该如何维权？
【Ministry of Public Security Spokesperson】 您可以向当地公安机关的督察部门或网信部门投诉，也可以直接向法院提起诉讼。公安部设有专门的投诉渠道，确保每一起投诉都会得到及时调查和处理。我们坚决维护公民的合法权益。
