Facial recognition toilet paper dispensers in Dongguan, China, were removed following public backlash over privacy concerns. 

The dispensers were designed to limit the amount of toilet paper and individual could take by recognising their face and combat theft in public restrooms. However, the initiative faced significant criticism from citizens who questioned the necessity and implications of such surveillance technology in public-private spaces such as toilets.

The controversy gained traction on social media, with a Weibo topic page about the dispensers garnering over 100 million views. Users expressed frustration not only over the privacy issues but also the inadequate amount of toilet paper dispensed and delays caused by the system, which required users to wait after each use. 

In response to the backlash, local authorities suspended the use of the facial recognition system, emphasising that while the technology aimed to address theft, the concerns raised by the public were significant enough to warrant their removal.