Hyper Realistic Silicone Masks From China Promise Lifelike Disguises but Spark Fear of Identity Theft and Criminal Acts

Realistic silicone face masks have been under investigation in China amid reports of some recent crimes that have been carried out while wearing such products.

Promise of Lifelike Disguise

An emerging gray market in silicone masks is thriving in China that promises to make the wearers look like everyone, from celebrities to ordinary people. Listed under the title "silicone mask" on the country's largest e-commerce platform Taobao, the masks would appear to be simply the kind of prop used for costume parties.

However, it claims to turn the user into any celebrity for a price of up to $3,400. One shop touts its merchandise as capable of passing low-sensitivity facial recognition checks.

According to the Taobao app data, dozens of this kind of mask have been sold. In one of the comment areas, a buyer posted a photo of herself wearing a Professor Severus Snape mask, originally portrayed by British actor Alan Rickman in the film series Harry Potter.

Besides the fact that it looked surprisingly real, it showed exquisite quality in every detail of the mask, according to a purchaser. Another shop was asked if it can make a Chinese actress Fan Bingbing mask, to which the shop answered "yes".

They can, however, accommodate any face provided that a customer gives a 3D scan or pictures of a head taken from 360 degrees. The buyer can also send a photo of the person they want to become and details of the buyer's own head and facial features.

According to a Beijing-based film makeup artist, these masks are commonly used as props in film-making. One silicone mask takes about a month to complete, but more hyper-realistic ones require more time and also cost to make.

Safety and Security Concerns

There have been instances when much cheaper versions of such silicone masks have been used to commit crimes.

Last March, four homes in Shanghai were broken into, with more than $13,760 in valuables stolen. Chinese police discovered that a 40-year-old burglar wore a silicone mask to make him look like an old man to steal property.

Even if the robber successfully tricked surveillance cameras, he left evidence in the house, and his mobile phone signal led police to him.

Currently, there is no prohibition on selling silicone masks in China. It was also discovered that these goods could be delivered far beyond China to other places around Asia, like Singapore.

According to Sherry Zhang, a media and entertainment practice partner at Shanghai Glinks Law Firm, other legal risks could be created by the hyper-realistic silicone masks, including infringement of an individual's portrait rights. Sellers could also face legal action over exaggerating product functions or for selling items to people knowing they intended to commit illegal acts with them.

Meanwhile, Professor Meng Qiang of the Beijing Institute of Technology Law School said that anyone using them without permission should be liable for infringing on the right to reputation. Because of security and safety concerns, there has been a growing call for stricter regulation and oversight of the sale and use of silicone face masks on Chinese e-commerce platforms.

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