Video of a 5G-powered police chase triggers concern in China

5G means faster video streaming… and stronger surveillance

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Video of a 5G-powered police chase triggers concern in China

Published: 10:17pm, 29 May 2019Updated: 9:05am, 20 Sep 2019

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

The promise of 5G -- currently rolling out slowly to consumers -- means faster video streaming, playing AAA console games on your smartphone, and having your refrigerator or car connected to the internet. But it also means that authorities will have more powerful tools for monitoring people, as demonstrated by one video in China.

Why 5G isn't just faster video streaming on your smartphone

A promotional video that features a Chinese policeman wearing 5G-connected AR glasses with facial recognition while chasing down a criminal is being shared on Weibo and WeChat. Many social media users are wondering if this is what their 5G future looks like.

In the video, an undercover policeman spots a criminal in the subway after his glasses recognize the person among a sea of passengers. (Does anything shout “undercover cop” more than wearing those dorky sunglasses in the subway?)

Even after the culprit dons a hat, wig and fake mustache and beard, the police quickly locate him by using images from cameras around the city. Then as he tries to escape on a bicycle, the officer with the glasses remotely deploys traffic spikes from a speed bump.

Both the glasses and the speed bump in the video have China Mobile’s logo on them. We asked China Mobile if the company is behind the video but have yet to hear back.

While making the rounds on Twitter, the video has not drawn much attention on Chinese social media. Those who did see it, though, seem worried.

“Is this ad promoting 5G or promoting terror?” one person asked in a Weibo post.

“This really is a horror movie,” another user commented.