The use by police in China of sunglasses equipped with facial recognition to identify suspected criminals prompted multiple concerns. 

The sunglasses allow police in Zhengzhou and Beijing to quickly scan and identify individuals in crowded public spaces, comparing faces to a database of suspects. This technology enables rapid identification of people accused of crimes or using fake IDs.

Critics argued that the technology is known to be inaccurate and unreliable, with potential errors leading to wrongful stops or detentions of innocent individuals.

The glasses were also seen to infringe on citizens' privacy rights, as they can be scanned and identified without their knowledge or consent. The ability to "check anywhere" gives police unprecedented surveillance power, critics argued, and enables Chinese authorities to track political dissidents or profile ethnic minorities. 

Their ubiquitous nature could also have a chilling effect on public behaviour, potentially impacting freedom of expression and assembly. The rapid deployment of facial recognition technology in China without proper legal frameworks intensified these concerns.

The facial recognition sunglasses were seen as part of China's broader efforts to build a comprehensive digital surveillance system, including plans to dramatically increase the number of AI-powered CCTV cameras across the country.