China is now requiring mobile phone users to have the image of their face captured in order to register for new service. The facial recognition requirement went into effect on Sunday. The government says the new rule is designed to confirm a person’s identity to help prevent fraud. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has not said which companies would operate the facial recognition systems for telecommunication companies. A facial image capture will be required for anyone seeking to establish new mobile phone service. However, it is not clear how the new law would affect existing mobile service users. The new rule is another example of how facial recognition systems are being used in China. The technology already is widely used in stores, subway systems and airports.