Face Licensing Platforms Spark Privacy Concerns as AI Dramas Monetize Portraits
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Trading platforms have emerged in mainland China allowing ordinary citizens to monetize their facial data for AI-generated short dramas, with some users earning nearly 2,500 yuan in a few days. The practice has raised serious personal data protection concerns, as platforms often require bare-faced photos before signing contracts. Legal experts warn that premature collection of facial data violates China's Personal Information Protection Law.
Key Points
- A platform in Chengdu, Sichuan Province launched two months ago and facilitated nearly 70 face licensing transactions
- A bank employee "sold their face" seven times within three days, earning approximately 2,500 yuan (about 2,920 Hong Kong dollars)
- Actors and models can command 800 to 1,000 yuan per short drama license, while ordinary citizens receive about 200 yuan for one year's authorization
- AI short dramas require multiple-angle front-face photos as "visual anchor points" to solve character face-swapping problems, creating demand for facial data
- Social media is flooded with "AI digital artist signing" recruitment messages that often request bare-faced photos before formal contracts
- Lawyers warn that requesting photos before signing constitutes illegal premature collection of sensitive personal data, violating the Personal Information Protection Law
- Experts stress that facial data is classified as sensitive personal information; collection, storage, and destruction must comply with national standards
- All data must be stored on domestic cloud servers with no cross-border transmission permitted
- Platforms lacking proper protection measures face fines and potential criminal penalties
Why It Matters
The rapid growth of face licensing platforms highlights the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight as AI technologies increasingly commodify biometric data. Hong Kong residents who engage with such platforms or share facial data online could unknowingly expose themselves to legal risks under both Mainland and local privacy laws.
The rapid growth of face licensing platforms highlights the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight as AI technologies increasingly commodify biometric data. Hong Kong residents who engage with such platforms or share facial data online could unknowingly expose themselves to legal risks under both Mainland and local privacy laws.