Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts • Hacker News Board

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#91

Post by freddie_mercury » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 6:47 AM UTC

danpalmer wrote: post #66

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #40

Home Depot's self-checkouts are using this facial ID to build/maintain their shoplifting database — this tracks thefts by the same person across multiple visits, and is used over time to build up a case against errant self-checkout-ers (i.e. to get them above a theft threshhold, at which point prosecution becomes easier). There is also CCTV AI (whether artificial intelligence, or actually indians) which can intervene…

> i.e. to get them above a theft threshhold, at which point prosecution becomes easier This feels like it should be illegal. Holding back on reporting or prosecuting until you think you're more likely to get a conviction or a bigger conviction, feels close to entrapment. To do otherwise is just unnecessarily vindictive, showing that it's the punishment that matters more than the prevention.

Is it really any different than the thief who steals things just under the felony limit...but does it every day?

In Texas the felony limit is $2,500. Is stealing $1000 on Monday, $1000 on Tuesday, and $1000 on Wednesday really so much better than stealing $3,000 on Monday?

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#92

Post by 47282847 » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:08 AM UTC

I make it a point not to use self-checkout systems because I want to support human interaction even if basic, and contribute to jobs for humans. And cash (most self-checkouts here are card-only).

I understand it’s a losing battle on all fronts.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#93

Post by bcraven » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:12 AM UTC

stephen_g wrote: post #90

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #40

Home Depot's self-checkouts are using this facial ID to build/maintain their shoplifting database — this tracks thefts by the same person across multiple visits, and is used over time to build up a case against errant self-checkout-ers (i.e. to get them above a theft threshhold, at which point prosecution becomes easier). There is also CCTV AI (whether artificial intelligence, or actually indians) which can intervene…

I've noticed at supermarkets here that of the dozens of times those 'you haven't scanned something' warnings have come up, only one time the item hadn't actually scanned when I thought it had. Every other time has been a false positive for me. They're pretty dodgy, the workers always seem pretty frustrated with it as they go around clearing them for people (sometimes a handful of people waiting, falsely accused by th…

This is an important observation as you now have a mechanism to obtain free things from the megacorp of your choosing.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#94

Post by idiomat9000 » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:15 AM UTC

I want to be paid in rebates for working at self checkout.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#95

Post by ojosilva » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:17 AM UTC

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #40

Home Depot's self-checkouts are using this facial ID to build/maintain their shoplifting database — this tracks thefts by the same person across multiple visits, and is used over time to build up a case against errant self-checkout-ers (i.e. to get them above a theft threshhold, at which point prosecution becomes easier). There is also CCTV AI (whether artificial intelligence, or actually indians) which can intervene…

Beware that face detection may not be an issue under BIPA if it's not storing biometric markers [1], only a hash. As an engineer, and concerned citizen, I'd say that's a thin line as far as privacy protections go, but apparently the law disagrees and face detection tech suppliers are well-aware on how to monetize on the discrepancy [2]

In any case, the plaintiff will most likely be able to take the case to discovery.

[1] https://lewisbrisbois.com/newsroom/legal-alerts/2024-bipa-de...

[2] https://alcatraz.ai/blog/face-authentication-vs-face-recogni...

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#96

Post by moomoo11 » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:27 AM UTC

47282847 wrote: post #92

I make it a point not to use self-checkout systems because I want to support human interaction even if basic, and contribute to jobs for humans. And cash (most self-checkouts here are card-only). I understand it’s a losing battle on all fronts.

Don’t you think it’s selfish when a small minority of people hold on to some fading ideals in a world where people are genuinely better off with more efficiency?

Like imagine being in the era when electricity was becoming more prevalent and I’m sure some people were complaining about some ideal then as well.

That said I do agree that self checkouts should not be using methods beyond what’s reasonably necessary.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#97

Post by rapnie » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:27 AM UTC

47282847 wrote: post #92

I make it a point not to use self-checkout systems because I want to support human interaction even if basic, and contribute to jobs for humans. And cash (most self-checkouts here are card-only). I understand it’s a losing battle on all fronts.

Same. And indeed a losing battle. Society is being dehumanized, and humans embrace this trend. Maybe it is because it is a means to face away of all the big challenges humanity faces. Being social in complex society requires skill and effort, causes stress. Facing life challenges, and the doom and gloom. The easy way is to flee that, to extract oneself, and technology is bliss here.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#98

Post by moomoo11 » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:29 AM UTC

rapnie wrote: post #97

47282847 wrote: post #92

I make it a point not to use self-checkout systems because I want to support human interaction even if basic, and contribute to jobs for humans. And cash (most self-checkouts here are card-only). I understand it’s a losing battle on all fronts.

Same. And indeed a losing battle. Society is being dehumanized, and humans embrace this trend. Maybe it is because it is a means to face away of all the big challenges humanity faces. Being social in complex society requires skill and effort, causes stress. Facing life challenges, and the doom and gloom. The easy way is to flee that, to extract oneself, and technology is bliss here.

Why would I want to wait in line for 5 minutes, when I could be on my way?

Life goes by fast. I’d rather spend those small minutes lost with my loved ones or back to doing things I enjoy more. Over my lifetime that’s a lot of time.

I only shop in person at Whole Foods because it’s two blocks away. Every Tuesday they have some nice discounts and it’s fun to walk the aisles. Otherwise I just deliver groceries from Costco every 2 weeks or my Amazon prime subscriptions.

Why continue purposefully at a disadvantage? Makes no sense.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#99

Post by idiotsecant » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:33 AM UTC

47282847 wrote: post #92

I make it a point not to use self-checkout systems because I want to support human interaction even if basic, and contribute to jobs for humans. And cash (most self-checkouts here are card-only). I understand it’s a losing battle on all fronts.

Do you also wish that elevators would go back to having attendants that drive you to your floor?

When a job doesn't need people, keeping a person there is not some kind of noble gesture. It's annoying.

Re: Home Depot sued for 'secretly' using facial recognition at self-checkouts

#100

Post by rapnie » Thu, Aug 21, 2025, 7:36 AM UTC

moomoo11 wrote: post #98

rapnie wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same. And indeed a losing battle. Society is being dehumanized, and humans embrace this trend. Maybe it is because it is a means to face away of all the big challenges humanity faces. Being social in complex society requires skill and effort, causes stress. Facing life challenges, and the doom and gloom. The easy way is to flee that, to extract oneself, and technology is bliss here.

Why would I want to wait in line for 5 minutes, when I could be on my way? Life goes by fast. I’d rather spend those small minutes lost with my loved ones or back to doing things I enjoy more. Over my lifetime that’s a lot of time. I only shop in person at Whole Foods because it’s two blocks away. Every Tuesday they have some nice discounts and it’s fun to walk the aisles. Otherwise I just deliver groceries from Cost…

You wait in line because there weren't enough checkout points in the first place. Poor customer service by your supermarket. It is funny, in the supermarket near me people are coralled into a kind of scan barracks where underage teen guardians frisk their shoppings regularly. There is only one checkout with personnel still operating it. What regularly happens now is that there's a big crowd waiting for a free scan point, like cattle, while that one patient cashier is waiting idle. And will process the groceries much faster than any self-scanner can. Brave new world.