There’s no question about the convenience facial recognition technology has brought to our daily lives. We use it to unlock our phones, pass through immigration with ease, and enter restricted areas in buildings.
With that said, we’re not sure how we would feel about having to scan our faces in order to get our hands on toilet paper at a public restroom.
A Malaysian tourist was overseas when he came across a facial recognition system at the entrance of a public toilet. He had to scan his face before retrieving a mere three to four squares of toilet paper. According to him, each person was only allowed one scan.
What happens if you need to do a number two?
A quick online search shows that the man was likely travelling in China.
A few years ago, a Beijing park that’s home to the Temple of Heaven made the news for installing a toilet paper dispenser that could only be accessed through facial recognition. Only after scanning one’s face will you be provided with 60cm of paper.
The technology was put in place to deter visitors from taking too much toilet paper after some visitors were seen stuffing their bags with rolls of toilet paper.
Though we can see how the tech could help prevent wastage, it does bring about the issue of privacy and data collection. Netizens also found the machines “pointless”, with a few believing it to be a major overreaction on the authorities’ part.
Many were tickled by the Malaysian tourist’s experience, with a number expressing how “thankful” they are as their countries don’t have such regulations in place.
Privacy issues aside, we can’t imagine how a few pieces of toilet paper would suffice in emergencies. And this is why it’s never a bad idea to bring your own pack of tissues.