Realistic silicone masks spark legal concerns after theft sprees
By Xu Zhesheng | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-07-04 22:00
A recent spate of thefts in Jiangsu province and Shanghai involving hyper-realistic silicone face masks has ignited a debate about the legality of these products.
Authorities in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, detained a man suspected of carrying out nearly 20 home invasions disguised as an electricity worker. The suspect allegedly used silicone masks purchased online to quickly change his appearance and evade capture.
A similar incident occurred in Shanghai, where a man identified by his surname Tong is accused of stealing over 100,000 yuan ($14,000) from four residences while disguised as an elderly man using a silicone mask. The stolen property has been recovered, and Tong is facing charges.
Silicone face masks are readily available for purchase on various e-commerce platforms in China, ranging from a few yuan to tens of thousands of yuan. These masks can be customized based on photographs or 3D scans, with some companies even offering celebrity look-alike masks. Prices vary depending on complexity and accuracy, ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 yuan, with completion taking about a month.
Legal experts warn of the potential dangers associated with the sale and use of these masks. Liu Jiong, a criminal law professor at Xiamen University, highlights how these masks can circumvent video surveillance and facial recognition systems, hindering suspect identification. This raises concerns about civil, administrative, and criminal liabilities.
Meng Qiang, a law professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, emphasizes that using a mask to impersonate a specific individual without their consent violates their right to reputation.
Liu proposes stricter regulations for custom-made masks. Businesses should verify customer identities and intended uses, and highly realistic masks should undergo additional scrutiny and registration with public security departments.
Weng Xiaoping, a partner at King & Capital Law Firm in Beijing, acknowledges the potential applications of silicone masks in film, television, and gaming industries. He calls for industry standards to be established to balance technological advancement with safety. Weng also emphasizes the importance of public education to address the risks and challenges posed by these masks.
