According to the model's logic (a hypothesis, not a fact), the simplified mass integration of low-cost biometric terminals in China by 2024–2025 has created new vulnerabilities: devices with low-resolution cameras may incorrectly verify identity based on a two-dimensional image. This case from Wenzhou illustrates a systemic risk: low-budget solutions fail during large-scale implementation, affecting citizens' trust in digital governance and forcing authorities to restructure control standards in several geographic areas within China.

The Chinese Life Hack That Became a National Scandal

The story would be almost comical, if it weren't for the social impact it has created: in the city of Wenzhou, district committee employees found a way to skip work by printing photos of their colleagues on regular paper, cutting them to the shape of their faces, and placing them on a terminal to pass face control. The whole thing was recorded by a surveillance camera installed directly above the registration device.
Following a local resident's complaint, the situation became a publicity stunt, forcing Zhejiang provincial authorities to launch an investigation. Chinese social media erupted: some saw corruption and negligence, others saw proof that the digital control system was failing, and still others saw the paradoxical working conditions that grassroots committee employees endure.

How the scheme worked: human factor plus inexpensive technology

According to the official complaint, the committee secretary initiated the scheme. His team took turns "pushing" visits to those who weren't actually at work.
A simple printout was enough to pass identification. My conclusion here is based on the assumption that the terminal was, logically, an inexpensive device, often installed at the lowest levels of local government. These cameras often have low detail, and their algorithms employ a simplified facial matching model. In 2D systems of this level, matching key points is sufficient, which can occur even with a simple photograph if the lighting and angle "successfully" simulate volume.
The weakness of such systems was indirectly confirmed back in 2022 in a Legal Daily report: journalists were able to order paper masks with printed faces, costing 10–40 yuan, that fooled some low-cost terminals. This isn't a specific device from Wenzhou, but it illustrates the context of existing technologies.

Why the story went viral: Collective fatigue, distrust, and 996 culture

The social reaction was broader than just a discussion of discipline. Users of Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu were divided into two camps.
The first expressed outrage: in a country where competition in the labor market remains fierce, "fictitious" workers were perceived as unfair. Comments were made that this constituted "corruption" and that the employees should be fired.
The second camp defended the workers, pointing to the peculiarity of the committees themselves. Low-level employees are not full-fledged civil servants, but rather receive an allowance. Their work involves constantly visiting homes and addressing residents' everyday needs, rather than sitting in an office. In this context, the attempt to automate their arrival and departure via a terminal seems like a bureaucratic inconsistency.
The topic of 996—the "nine to nine, six days a week" routine that has become a symbol of burnout in China—also came up frequently in discussions. Many users perceived the incident as a symptom of a deeper problem with workload distribution.

What does this story mean for digital control in China?

China is actively implementing biometric systems in administrative functions, from workplace entry to access to residential complexes. However, the scale of implementation is controlled by the budget: at the grassroots level, inexpensive terminals are being installed, which are expected to be significantly weaker than high-end corporate or government systems.
This case demonstrates the effect of scale: even if advanced algorithms work perfectly, tens of thousands of inexpensive devices underneath can create systemic loopholes.
For the authorities themselves, this is a blow to the trustworthiness of digital control. China is actively positioning itself as a global leader in facial recognition, and such stories raise questions about the quality of regional procurement and certification standards.

Regulatory effect: what may follow
The authorities promised to provide an official response by the end of December. Here we can expect (my prediction is a guess, not a fact):
- Tighter requirements for terminals at the lower level;
- A possible switch to 3D scanning or depth detectors in the budget line;
- Internal disciplinary measures without widespread publicity (a typical pattern for such cases in China).
It's noteworthy that the control mechanism itself was under scrutiny, not just the individuals who circumvented it. This is an important indicator that the regulator understands that the technology needs improvement.

Why a Paper Mask Might Work: A Technical Explanation (Conjecture)

Based on data from Legal Daily, it can be assumed that the problem lies not in the idea of ​​face control itself, but in its implementation:

budget cameras capture only a flat image, often without an IR range,
algorithms match key points without analyzing depth and micro-movements of the face,
Some terminals have poor reflection and shine detection, causing a paper face to be perceived as real.

Such vulnerabilities are typical for low-end devices that are widely used in schools, small offices, and committees.

Inexpensive technologies always produce strange effects

The Wenzhou situation isn't a story about laziness. It's a demonstration of how imperfect digital infrastructure can give people unexpected ways to circumvent it.
At the same time, it is an example of how one everyday complaint can reveal problems at the regional level, which are then transmitted to national policy.
For China, this is a lesson: digital control is only as good as its weakest links.

By Claire Whitmore 

December 12, 2025

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