American companies built infrared surveillance systems enabling human rights abuses in China
Associated Press investigations found that infrared facial recognition surveillance systems deployed widely across China were designed and built largely by American companies. The systems have enabled the Chinese state to track dissidents, ethnic minorities, and others perceived as threats, with reports of people being flagged for detention without committing crimes.
What happened
Infrared surveillance systems in China were designed and built to a large degree by American companies. These systems use infrared beams invisible to the naked eye to scan faces, bodies, and license plates for recognition.
By law, anyone registering new SIM cards in China must show themselves to a face scanning camera, with images stored in telecom databases. Chinese authorities required most hotel guests to scan their faces when checking in. Cameras scan pedestrians and flag vehicles breaking traffic rules at airports, train stations, and on streets.
Reported impact
The surveillance systems have been used to track and monitor people including dissidents, ethnic minorities, and officials perceived as threats to the state. Dozens described being tracked by vast networks of cameras that hindered their movements and alerted police to their activities.
A former Xinjiang government engineer reported seeing how surveillance technology flagged thousands of people for detention even when they had committed no crime.
Index analysis
The systems have cemented the rule of China's ruling Communist Party by providing a powerful tool to control and monitor perceived threats to the state. The surveillance infrastructure has been described as an intrusive form of state control for some people, despite offering convenience and safety for others.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.