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Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

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Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#41

Whoever builds a wearable “sparkler” that is able to disrupt digital cameras or the underlying tech in a way that doesn’t require the user to wear a large scarf or similar is going to really usher in an interesting part of history.

You can obscure your face from many cameras with bright IR leds, but then you become "that one guy who's face shows up on camera as a bright washed out blur." It's like trying to hide an airplane from radars by broadcasting megawatts of broadband noise; possible but not particularly useful.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#42

Well, suppose they became aware. Then what?

Normalize masks? Let them figure my face from that!

They're trying to recognize your face anyway. e.g. see https://pages.nist.gov/frvt/html/frvt_facemask.html It looks like the testing is still done in relation to synthetic masks, but I could see that shifting over time. Absolutely repugnant that the industry is targeting masked individuals, but it's happening none the less.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#43
post #3

Apple stores now use face recognition on their camera feeds, as well. I always wear a mask and glasses in them, now, and pay cash. EDIT: according to shuckles below, this is incorrect.

Do they do this even in their EU stores?

If so, is there any source showing that? I'm sure some of the DPAs would be excited to hear about a company using biometrics, likely in violation of Art. 9 GDPR.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't that the point? No way out really.

Sure there’s a way out. Elect representatives who will vote to outlaw the use of facial recognition and other tracking technologies.

There are many things I wish they would do and this isn't at the top of the list for me.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

WiFi calling

Linked to your wifi, paid by you

WiFi calling doesn’t use the device’s VPN settings?

Even if it doesn’t, the poster said they also use a router VPN.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#46
post #20

Walmart makes this rather obvious. I was walking down a medicine aisle the other day, and I looked up and saw my face on a screen with green lines outlining it.

Last time I was in a Walmart, it felt like they were doing everything they could to communicate they didn't want me to shop at their store.

* Gates at the main entrances

* Cameras everywhere

* "Security" walking through the store in clearly marked uniforms

* Self checkouts with UX that clearly communicates a lack of trust.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#47

Wait till it can ID shoplifting, and people get added to a shared database of blacklisted shoppers. You can steal no problem, but one day you'll be approached and asked to leave upon entering almost anywhere.

This will surely help reintegrate former criminals into society.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#48

Well, suppose they became aware. Then what?

I tried telling random adults on the main street in my University town that Target was using non-disclosed facial recognition, about four years ago, for a while. The rate of response was less than half for people to show concern. I also somewhat-randomly discovered a local "facial aware" security system installer at the coffee shop. Once he noticed I was asking pointed questions about consent, he changed his tone and said "yeah I install a bunch of high tech shit" and ended the conversation. Weeks later I saw him driving by and rode my bicycle next to him in traffic making a scene (saying nothing that could be construed as a threat). He was a little shaken that time I hope.

As a US Citizen I am strongly opposed to non-disclosed facial recognition in commercial settings. The covid masking is almost like Greek-fable humor of the gods, rendering even ATM (perfect picture) facial recognition moot.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#49

Wait till it can ID shoplifting, and people get added to a shared database of blacklisted shoppers. You can steal no problem, but one day you'll be approached and asked to leave upon entering almost anywhere.

Given the numerous videos of shoplifters just walking into SF stores and stealing in plain view while being recorded, I doubt this will stop any of them. Unless there is some change to the system of policies that cause stores to do effectively nothing about shoplifting, it’s not going to stop.

Re: Many Americans not aware of being tracked with facial recognition while shopping

#50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You tell us

Americans seem to focus on themselves more than other nationalities.

They polled 31k Americans for this, what do you want the article title to be?
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