Fengchao Express Cabinet's Mandatory Use of Face Recognition for Delivery Draws Concerns and Legal Questions
TapTechNews August 23rd news, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily report, the reporter found during the visit that Fengchao Express Cabinet compulsorily requires users to use face recognition to complete the identity verification when self-delivering items, otherwise they cannot send them out. Fengchao responded that this move is to respond to the real-name delivery requirement of the State Post Bureau, aiming to strengthen the real-name security of the intelligent cabinet's self-service delivery.
Wang Yuan, a partner of Beijing Gaoqin Law Firm, said that Fengchao's behavior of disguisedly compelling users to use face recognition when providing self-service delivery service has no legal basis, and is suspected of violating regulations such as the Personal Information Protection Law and the Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law.
Wang Yuan pointed out that face recognition data belongs to very sensitive biometric identification data, and even directly relates to personal life and property safety. It can only be used in important scenarios such as purposeful public safety inspections and handling specific financial businesses. Sending a courier is a behavior that occurs frequently in daily life, and obviously does not reach a similar security level. Using face recognition as the only way to verify the user's identity does not have sufficient necessity. In addition, even when using the self-service of the courier cabinet, if the courier service personnel cannot be on the scene for verification, sending verification codes through mobile phone numbers or using identity documents can also have the effect of real-name registration.
It is worth noting that the Interim Regulations on Express Delivery implemented since May 2018 clearly states that except for letters and express items delivered by users who have signed a security agreement, when an enterprise operating express delivery business collects express items, it shall inspect the identity of the sender and register the identity information. If the sender refuses to provide identity information or provides false identity information, the enterprise operating the express delivery business shall not collect it. However, it does not mention that face recognition is the only verification method.
TapTechNews noticed that the official public account of Shanghai Network Rumor Refutation, a platform jointly built by the Shanghai Cyberspace Administration Office and Jiefang Daily · Shanghai Observation, once posted on August 6th, saying that the relevant departments of the State Post Bureau are currently organizing various delivery enterprises to optimize the real-name collection and delivery system process, etc. For the first time sending in a certain brand of courier enterprise, it is necessary to show, inspect, and register the identity information; for the second time of sending, it is necessary to inspect the identity information. Face recognition technology as an auxiliary of identity information recognition, is currently being piloted and not mandatory recommended.