The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus has caused major complications in the world of tech, specifically in South East Asia. There are three main impacts that this article points out. The first is companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Tesla closing their stores in China with no set date of reopening. The second is a shortage in the manufacturing sector. Because China is such a tech manufacturing hub, many experts believe that the shortage of workers and inadequate working conditions will cause a shortage of devices such as smartphones and VR headsets. The third issue is travel, specifically for conferences involving tech. In the article, the Mobile World Congress conference being held in Barcelona is cited as an example where multiple companies have decided not to attend, fearing further exposure to the Coronavirus.

This diseases has caused countless problems around the world, and has even left many people dead. It is imperative for companies to take the necessary precautions to protect their workers, even if it means at the expense of profit. Tech companies that manufacture primarily in China and South East Asia are in a tough situation, in which they either must decide to halt production and find an alternative, or try to stay put and strategically decide when the time is appropriate to continue.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/7/21128307/coronavirus-outbreak-tech-industry-production-supply-chain-delay-impact

A video recently posted by VICE news network reveals the advancements being made in regards to facial recognition technology in China. This technology is being used in the public sphere via cameras placed at traffic lights, street corners, and other urban areas. These companies that develop this technology are collaborating with the Chinese government to gather data to increase the surveillance state. The government has used this technology to identify criminals, as well as linking Chinese citizens’ face to their government I.D. in order to easily identify every single person.

The Chinese government is planning to use this facial recognition technology to create a social credit system in which if someone has a ‘bad’ score, then they will not be allowed to travel and are publically shamed. This has received much criticism from the West, claiming that it is dystopian and is a breach of privacy. With this much advancement in facial recognition technology, it is yet to be seen what else private companies and governments will use it for.