Facial scans used to withdraw money in Guiyang

The Agricultural Bank of China recently installed two ATM machines that use facial recognition software to initiate cash withdrawals in Guiyang, Guizhou province, local media reported on Sept 14.

Additional ATMs employing facial recognition technology are planned to be installed throughout the city by the end of the year.

A woman's face is scanned to withdraw money at an ATM at the Agricultural Bank of China in Guiyang, Guizhou province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As a safety protocol, the bank has set a maximum daily withdrawal amount of 3,000 yuan ($458) at the facial recognition ATMs.

The Agricultural Bank of China has already installed facial scanners at 37 of its bank counters across China. Similar scanners have also been implemented in Merchants Bank ATMs in 106 cities across the country.

Facial recognition technology is rapidly becoming widespread, being used for just about everything from shopping, withdrawing money to even getting toilet paper.

China has taken a leading role in facial recognition technology, and the application of this technology has become a magnet for entrepreneurs in the country.

Facial recognition technology is used to check in at a railway station in Wuhan, Hubei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]