China's surveillance network upgrade: Visiting the country puts you in a database, says academic

China is undertaking a comprehensive upgrade of its nationwide surveillance network, transitioning from traditional camera hardware to highly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems. This modernization, dubbed "Skynet," aims to create a more pervasive and predictive social control mechanism.

“

Visiting China, your personal data will appear in the database.

Shen Rongqin, an associate professor at York University in Canada, shared his experience after visiting China, stating that such visits result in personal data being entered into a database. He expressed surprise at the ease with which he could access a demonstration version of a remote tracking system designed for the Zhangjiakou Municipal Public Security Bureau, a city that hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics.

While the system accessed was part of a test group, it contained real data, illustrating the trajectory of China's state surveillance apparatus. Shen noted that the system is rapidly evolving from a network of street cameras into a "data-fusing, all-weather, predictive behemoth of social control."

“

The machine is rapidly evolving from a simple network of street cameras into a data-fusing, all-weather, predictive behemoth of social control.

Shen was particularly taken aback when he accessed a "reporter file" query, revealing familiar faces. This database reportedly contained comprehensive information on nearly all foreign journalists working in Beijing around 2021. He emphasized the alarming ease of access to this highly sensitive system, suggesting that even prominent political figures and medical professionals who have engaged with China could be similarly cataloged.

“

Accessing this highly sensitive system was surprisingly easy.