WIN-WIN OR WIN LOSE? AN EXAMINATION OF CHINA’S SUPPLY OF MASS SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES IN EXCHANGE FOR AFRICAN’S FACIAL IDS

Abstract

The use of Facial Recognition Technologies (FRT) has become
increasingly prevalent. While these technologies have been applauded
for their many benefits, their use have been criticised for problems
relating to accuracy. More particularly, FRT technologies have
demonstrated low accuracy when identifying people of colour. This has
led to the call for diversification of data, which has been intensified by
major corporations and nations competing to lead in Artificial
Intelligence development (the AI race). In an attempt to diversify its
data sets, China, as a significant player in the AI race, has entered into
an agreement with Zimbabwe. The agreement is meant to benefit both
parties mutually as a ‘win-win’ agreement, which entails the collection
of African facial IDs in exchange for high-end mass surveillance
technologies. This article questions whether this agreement can
genuinely be a win-win. To demonstrate this, the article will discuss and
analyse China’s viewpoint on this ‘win-win’ in light of the AI race and
take a closer look at how this agreement places China one step ahead of
others in the race to lead facial recognition technologies. As such, the
article examines that which is hidden in China’s win-win perspective by
delving deeper into the biometric data and the underlying principles of
its Regulation to determine whether the collection of Facial IDs is in
line with these principles. Finally, I attempt to redefine the meaning of
what is truly a ‘win-win’ in this context.