SINGAPORE: Commuters at Punggol Coast MRT station have noticed new facial recognition devices installed at selected fare gates, with the technology quickly becoming a talking point online after images of the system surfaced on social media. The devices were seen mounted above two separate priority gantries at the station. Under the pilot, commuters who wish to use the feature would first need to register, linking their public transport card to a facial recognition profile before they can access the system. While the trial appears to be optional, the appearance of the devices has nevertheless prompted widespread discussion online, with many questioning the implications of introducing facial recognition technology into Singapore’s public transport network. Several commenters also expressed broader concerns about surveillance, saying the increasing use of facial recognition in everyday environments could normalise the collection of biometric information.