Ruyi Ding (Stockholm University): The Current Regulation of Students’ Personal Information Processing via Facial Recognition Technology under Chinese Law

About the speaker
Ruyi Ding is a PhD candidate at the Department of Law, Stockholm University. She holds a research LLM in Intellectual Property Law from China University of Political Science and Law as well as an applied LLM in Computer Law from Queen Mary University of London. The title of her doctoral project is Personal Information Protection in the Use of Facial Analysis Technology Under Chinese Law: The Education Sector as an Exemplary Case.

About the Topic
In recent years, China’s educational institutions have been implementing facial recognition technology across myriad uses, ranging from campus security and dormitory access to tracking attendance, checking in for exams, and managing student enrollment, library loans, and payment at dining halls. The aim is to enhance efficiency, security, or both. Yet the use of facial recognition has sparked intense controversy as concerns grow over student privacy, personal information security, discrimination, and even long-term impacts on students’ personal growth and development. This lecture examines how Chinese law currently regulates the processing of students’ personal information via facial recognition technology and discusses regulatory problems such as legal uncertainty, potential abuse, and gaps in the existing legal framework.

About the Speaker Series
The “Hamburg Lecture Series on Chinese Law” was established in 2002 as a series of guest lectures from notable legal scholars and legal practitioners, who engage in research stays at the Hamburg Institute. It aims to provide insight into legal fields under development in the People’s Republic of China and which are thus attracting great international interest.

The virtual lecture will be held as a video conference via Zoom. Please register no later than Thursday, 12 February 2026 using this LINK.
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