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Tesco To Use Face Detection Technology For In-Store Advertising
TinTops writes "Tesco has sparked privacy concerns following its decision to install technology that scans shoppers' faces in order to display video advertising on screens at its petrol stations. The UK's privacy watchdog the ICO is looking into the technology. This is the first national rollout of the system, known as OptimEyes, which claims to recognize facial characteristics that determine a customer's gender and age in order to show more relevant video adverts on screens as they queue at the till. Simon Sugar, chief executive of Amscreen, the firm which sells the technology, has admitted it has connotations of science fiction, but is looking to increase its reach further. 'Yes, it's like something out of Minority Report, but this could change the face of British retail and our plans are to expand the screens into as many supermarkets as possible,' he said."
With a face like mine, I don't expect to see adverts for condoms.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
I foresee a wave of creative "vandalism". Products that move to conveniently block the camera, smudged lenses, etc.
And understandably so if you ask me. Similar stories have been popping up lately. Does none of these companies get that this probably isn't the best of times to introduce these privacy sensitive "improvements"?
Gosh, thanks. That must be why the other ships call me Meatfucker -- GCU Grey Area (Eccentric)
A few months ago, an acquaintance of mine mentioned something online about something stupid he did at the premises of a large store chain in the 90s. A few days ago, he got served with a notice of trespass and a legal note that if he set foot on $STORE's property in any state, that he would be arrested on site. There is no statute of limitations on bans with private property.
Here in the US, said facial technology would be probably used for arresting people the second they entered in the store, making notes about what people bought, and if they didn't buy enough, to have LP give them the bum's rush out. Or, just selling who comes in the store, so if someone buys cigs, that info gets sold to their health insurance company.
Get out your Richard Nixon mask. It is the one most preferred by bank robbers.
Dave Barnes 9 breweries within walking distance of my house
Not yet.
And in an age of big data and massive government surveillance, I have little faith it won't be before long.
You either need to pass laws concerning it now, or in 5 years (or less) what you say isn't happening will be common place and it will be too late.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Something comes to mind about Tesco not allowing hoodies, even if you bought it there. I'm pretty sure ski masks would be out of the question.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
And they wonder why people wear Burquas.
Mohammed, at the cutting edge of the consumer fight back
Simon Sugar, chief executive of Amscreen, the firm which sells the technology, has admitted it has connotations of science fiction, but is looking to increase its reach further. 'Yes, it's like something out of Minority Report, but this could change the face of British retail and our plans are to expand the screens into as many supermarkets as possible,' he said."
That is the worst-failed attempt at reassurance I've ever read 8-(
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
Everyone wear the same mask, maybe the Guy Fawkes (sp?) mask, and that way really fsck with the ad database by having the same ad shown to everyone at all times...that should really skew the stats.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
A Shell station I used to go to at another job had brand new pumps installed in 2008. These "new" and "improved" pumps would start playing ads the second you took the nozzle off the cradle and started pumping.
Result? I haven't been to that station in 7 years. To hell with intrusive adverts to a captive audience.
Boycott the store, people. Don't buy there. There is no greater "fuck you" to a merchant than an empty till and a competitor's store full of what used to be your own customers.
The "Civilized World" jumped the shark ca. 1973.
I'm thinking more of a pair of glasses with built-in video projectors. It can project a Guy Fawkes mask onto your face as you walk around town.
You may laugh but it'll probably sound like a good idea a couple of decades from now. I should probably patent it.
No sig today...
This is a "slippery slope argument" and therefore invalid.
Oh look, it's the 'slippery slope is a logical fallacy so it could never ever possibly even thinkg of actually happening' brigade, right on cue.
Hint, dude: the time to stop sliding down a slippery slope is before you first slip, not when you're racing toward the bottom.
How many times to you see a clerk walk up to a 16 year old girl and point out neckties or walk up to a 80 year old man and point out capri pants?
Since you're asking for anecdotes, I'll answer with one. "Never." As in "never, does a clerk walk up and presume they know what I need." Instead, in my country*, they walk up and ask if I need help. And they accept when I tell them I don't. And stop bothering me.
Which doesn't seem to be a viable option any more, thanks to Minority Report Jr.
*In my case, the United States of America. We have many things badly screwed up, but "sales associates" still know their place.
Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
Then you're an idiot, or fooling yourself.
And based on the nefarious stuff which happens now, and the distinct lack of stopping it, I conclude that the same bullshit will happen with different technology. It will just be more widespread and pervasive.
I'm not suggesting they're going to be any different than they are now, I'm saying they're already acting like douchebags and I expect them to continue. I call that a safe bet.
And WTF would posting it on Slashdot do? There's all sorts of stuff that might outrage us here on Slashdot which the rest of the populace will say "well, as long as they're doing it to protect against terrorists it must be OK".
Bullshit. Because the companies have the ability to pay lobbyists to ensure it doesn't get turned off.
When your politicians are paid actors on behalf of corporations, and you already have evidence that corporations act like unprincipled assholes, you don't assume that this time they'll suddenly play nice.
Lost at C:>. Found at C.