Tesco To Use Face Detection Technology For In-Store Advertising 212
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."
Re:sensationalism (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Cacklings of a Supervillain (Score:5, Insightful)
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-(
Re:phillip K dick (Score:4, Insightful)
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.
Re:sensationalism (Score:4, Insightful)
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.