Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the pervasive use of facial recognition technology in real estate sales offices in China, highlighting privacy concerns and the lack of compliance with new regulations aimed at protecting personal data [3][4]. Group 1: Surveillance in Real Estate Sales Offices - Real estate sales offices are equipped with numerous cameras, often without clear signage indicating their presence or purpose [5][9]. - Visitors often feel the need to disguise themselves to avoid having their facial data collected and recorded, which can affect their ability to choose different agents [6][12]. - The cameras are used to track visitors and determine if they are first-time clients, with facial data typically stored for 1 to 3 months [6][12]. Group 2: Compliance Issues - The new regulations require clear signage and consent for facial recognition data collection, which many sales offices fail to provide [8][14]. - There are reports of companies collecting facial data without proper consent, leading to administrative penalties [20][21]. - Experts argue that the current practices violate the principle of necessity, as the purpose of data collection is not clearly communicated to clients [14][21]. Group 3: Industry Practices and Implications - Real estate developers use facial recognition to differentiate between direct clients and those referred by agents, impacting commission structures [13][22]. - The technology is seen as a "secret weapon" to control commission costs and ensure that sales staff benefit from direct sales [13][22]. - There are alternative methods suggested for verifying client identity that do not rely on facial recognition, such as using access cards or QR codes [23].

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of facial recognition technology in real estate sales offices raises significant privacy concerns, as developers collect and utilize visitors' facial data without proper consent, leading to potential violations of new regulations aimed at protecting personal information [2][17][26]. Group 1: Privacy Concerns - Many real estate sales offices are equipped with numerous cameras that capture visitors' facial information, often without clear signage indicating surveillance [5][7][8]. - Visitors often feel compelled to disguise themselves to avoid being recorded, as their facial data is used to determine commission eligibility for real estate agents [3][5][12]. - The lack of transparency regarding the purpose of data collection and the absence of explicit consent from visitors violate the principles outlined in the newly implemented regulations [10][17][25]. Group 2: Regulatory Compliance - The new regulations, effective June 1, 2025, require clear signage and justification for the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces, which many sales offices fail to comply with [2][7][17]. - Instances of companies being penalized for unauthorized data collection highlight the ongoing regulatory scrutiny in this area, with fines imposed for non-compliance [23][24]. Group 3: Industry Practices - Real estate developers utilize facial recognition systems to differentiate between direct clients and those referred by agents, impacting commission structures and creating a competitive environment among agents [15][26]. - The technology is marketed as a solution to industry challenges, but its implementation often lacks ethical considerations regarding consumer rights and privacy [18][20][26]. - Alternative methods for client identification, such as access cards or QR codes, could reduce reliance on facial recognition while still meeting business needs [27].