AI Short-Drama Platforms Use Facial Data Without Limits in China
AI short-drama platforms in China operate low-barrier 'face-selling' gigs where participants submit facial data for small payments. Platforms reportedly use vague template contracts to extend single-use facial authorization into permanent commercial rights, sharing data with third parties for advertising and virtual livestreaming without explicit consent, exposing users to unrecoverable biometric data risks.
What happened
AI short-drama platforms in China offer participants low-barrier 'face-selling' gigs, claiming users can earn 3500 yuan in three days by submitting facial recordings, screen captures, and dynamic facial expressions without professional skills.
According to reports, many platforms use standard template contracts with vague and lengthy terms, and users typically agree without reading carefully. Platforms reportedly extend single-use facial authorization for AI short dramas into permanent, unrestricted commercial rights, sharing facial data with third parties for commercial advertising, virtual livestreaming, and digital modeling without explicit consent.
Reported impact
Participants signed away facial data rights, reportedly discovering cases of facial information leaks and malicious misuse of their likenesses. Facial biometric data cannot be reset or deleted once entered into platform systems and cloud databases, unlike passwords or account information.
Individuals' facial images have reportedly become tools for platform profit, used beyond the authorized scope and shared across undisclosed commercial applications.
Index analysis
Chinese law designates facial biometric information as sensitive personal data requiring strict protections: single consent, defined purpose, limited duration, and regulated storage. Law forbids bundled, vague, or over-scoped authorization.
Platform standard contracts reportedly create unequal responsibility through boilerplate disclaimers and unfair terms, exploiting low participant awareness of biometric data risks.
Governance controls
Chinese civil law and judicial interpretations explicitly mandate that processing facial biometric information must comply with principles of sole consent, limited purpose, limited duration, and regulated storage, with prohibitions on bundled or broad authorization.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.