China brings in mandatory facial recognition for mobile phone users

Ministry claims change will 'protect the legitimate rights and interest of citizens in cyberspace' but critics say it's dystopian

All mobile phone users in China registering new SIM cards must submit to facial recognition scans, according to a new rule that went into effect across the country on Sunday.

The guidelines, first issued in September, require telecoms companies to deploy "artificial intelligence and other technical methods" to check the identities of people registering SIM cards. All physical stores in the country have had until 1 December to begin implementing the new standards.