Facial Recognition Software Brings Personalized Ads To The Supermarket

from the I-saw-what-you-bought-there dept

Facial recognition software is getting to the point where there are some very interesting things that can be done with it in everyday life. That includes really bad ideas like enabling the police to run record checks on everyone who passes in front of their body-worn cameras. But it also means that businesses can start applying the technology in novel ways. Here's what is happening on a trial basis in some German supermarkets and post offices, as reported by Deutsche Welle:

There's a camera and a screen set up by the check-out. A visual sensor scans the faces of waiting customers who have looked directly at the camera and detects whether they're male or female and how old they are.

Marketing company Echion is running the cameras and screens. The brands that advertise with them have clearly delineated target groups. If the visual sensor detects that enough people who fall into a company's target demographic are looking at the screen, an ad by this company will start playing.

Being shown ads that are likely to be more relevant to you is probably no bad thing. But once cameras are in place, it would be natural for shops to start using them for other more complex tasks, like spotting known shoplifters:

faces of individuals caught on camera are converted into a biometric template and cross-referenced with a database for a possible match with past shoplifters or known criminals. Some stores in the US give shoplifting suspects the option of allowing themselves to be photographed, rather than arrested. All this had been made possible by the arrival of networked, high-resolution security cameras and rapidly advancing analytical capabilities.

That's from a story in the Guardian last year, so it's likely that the technology has moved on considerably since then. It's easy to think of more troubling extensions to the idea of scanning shoppers: for example, linking up to other databases of troublemakers and ne'er-do-wells, or to selfies derived from social networks.

As well as obvious privacy issues, explored in the Deutsche Welle report, a more general concern is the normalization this latest application of facial scanning might produce. Once cameras coupled with facial recognition software are routinely installed in everyday settings like supermarkets -- with appropriate warnings -- perhaps we will begin to accept them as the norm, and barely notice their silent spread to other locations and situations.

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Filed Under: creepy, face recognition, privacy, shopping


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  • icon
    Anonymous Anonymous Coward (profile), 22 Jun 2017 @ 6:31pm

    Eventual Consequence

    What will they do when shoppers start appearing at the checkout line wearing masks or bandannas that cover most of their face? Scream ROBBERY?

    A more likely scenario will be they shop elsewhere. Just like I stopped going to WalMart because of the abuse of their security people at the door who want to search me leaving the store. A no go, for me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Bergman (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 8:54am

      Re: Eventual Consequence

      They can ask to search you and you can ask to search them. Both sides are free to refuse in most places.

      If they press the issue, that crosses the line into criminal acts and self defense is justified at that point.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Jun 2017 @ 7:11pm

    I no longer shop at a major liquor store because they insist upon scanning your drivers license - yeah, that magnetic strip that contains .... what does it contain? idk, but it is probably more than just your birth date.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Anonymous Anonymous Coward (profile), 22 Jun 2017 @ 7:19pm

      Re:

      I had a similar problem with Radio Shack, who only asked for my zip code, which I refused. I eventually began asking for the manager to tell them that I objected to being asked, and that I wished them to forward my strenuous objections up the chain of command.

      I did note that late in their American existence (they still exist elsewhere in the world, at least in name) that they stopped this practice. I wonder how much this policy contributed to their eventual bankruptcy?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 4:22am

        Re: Re:

        new york city requires age identification for spray paints and knifes. home depot turns it into harvesting bonanza because shoppers don't realize all they have to do is to show id from a distance, instead of allowing scanning driver license.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 3:46pm

      Re:

      Just put a sticker over it and take your business elsewhere when they try to pull a fast one and scan without your consent.

      https://www.aclu.org/blog/creeping-private-sector-checkpoint-society-and-small-step-protect- your-privacy

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 22 Jun 2017 @ 7:26pm

    "More relevant"

    Being shown ads that are likely to be more relevant to you is probably no bad thing.

    More relevant than what? A checkout is not somewhere there are normally ads, certainly not video ads, and its not somewhere we need ads.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 22 Jun 2017 @ 10:50pm

      Re: "More relevant"

      "As a registered sex offender, can I interest you in handcuffs and piano wires?" It doesn't take much in the U.S. to be registered as a sex offender.

      "Missy, you definitely want some hair removal for that ugly mustache of yours."

      I don't want a cashier to meddle in my life based on staring in my face, and I don't want their register to meddle in my life either. Most particularly not while the next in line gets to see the register making snide remarks at me and insinuating what departments it considers me lacking in.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Cowardly Lion, 23 Jun 2017 @ 2:58am

      Re: "More relevant"

      I was going to pick up that comment as well...

      Being shown ads IS a bad thing. Who the hell do these people think they are, getting in my face... "Hey, can I distract you for a second to show you some shitty products you didn't want and definitely don't need..." "No. Fuck off. I was enjoying nice thoughts about that hot bird in the next lane, you inconsiderate dick."

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Vidiot (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 5:45am

      Re: "More relevant"

      "Another case of buttwipes today, Mrs. May? You're bound to have run out by now."

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Hugh Jasohl (profile), 22 Jun 2017 @ 7:33pm

    Just Wait

    Eventually ads will be displaying models, measuring pupil dilation and determining sexual orientation within a second of glancing at it. You won't really know how intrusive it can get until you are outed by the ads that are being displayed to you in public.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      CG, 22 Jun 2017 @ 10:04pm

      Re: Just Wait

      Phillip K. Dick was here. If the system could hang together long enough those ads would become real time scripted conversations with AI designed to close sales.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Pixelation, 22 Jun 2017 @ 10:23pm

    Counter measures

    Time for reflective sunglasses and headphones. Might have to dig out the Walkman.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ThaumaTechnician (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 4:25am

      Re: Counter measures

      No, the countermeasures are to complain to the store management and inform them that you're going to shop somewhere else.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    DarkKnight (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 5:38am

    NO

    I don't care about targeted advertising. I wouldn't be looking at the camera or screen. I'm more interested in Police Cams in neighborhoods like mine, to make it easy to identify known criminals or unknown criminals, and identify anyone attempting any illegal activities. That makes sense and would allow the Police to do the jobs that we pay taxes toward them doing. Advertisers can go to >>>>

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 6:34am

      Re: NO

      We love our police state

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      mb (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 8:34am

      Re: NO

      That sounds like a great idea, until...
      * Hackers gain access to the feeds and track your personal habits to target your house for burglary. It's not a matter of if, it is when.
      * You are implicated in some terrorist activity because the data analytics on your behaviour patterns turned a false positive.
      * The police decide they need extra revenue streams and start selling access to their video feeds to advertisers.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 5:59am

    This is like adds at gas pumps.

    I find some other gas station to go to. Ones without the adds even if the gas at the no add station cost more.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 6:44am

    So, this another example that surveillance is all about money and control. Death to capitalism/communism.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    hiroshimarrow (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 6:54am

    Intrusive at a point when egress is only desired.

    "Oh, HI, %personwhodidn'tlookatthecamera%! We see you have made all your purchasing decisions today. Would you be interested in non-lubricating crunchy peanut butter for our desperate attempt to make you leave the line you just waited 10 minutes in and go add our distinct and totally name brand product to your basket?"

    Next up it will scan your groceries, as well. "Hey, %yournamehere%, you are buying ground beef, and the pharmacy items you bought today indicate high cholesterol. Did you know that ground turkey is better for you? Turkey! The other ground meat!"

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Mason Wheeler (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 9:34am

    Being shown ads that are likely to be more relevant to you is probably no bad thing. But once cameras are in place, it would be natural for shops to start using them for other more complex tasks, like spotting known shoplifters.

    Wait, wait, hang on a sec. Let me get this straight. There's probably no problem with targeted advertising--which everybody hates and esteems those who practice it only slightly higher than drug dealers and pedophiles--but trying to keep thieves (literal thieves, not digital-copying "thieves") from causing trouble for you is worthy of criticism?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Aaron Walkhouse (profile), 23 Jun 2017 @ 9:18pm

      Based on accusations only?

      Note that they didn't even consider the need for a conviction
      before adding legally-innocent folks to a List of Future Harassment.

      Kind of reminds one of copyright trolls who insist an accusation
      is enough to disconnect your internet, doesn't it? ‌ ‌ ;]


      In Canada, searches are expressly forbidden without probable
      cause. ‌ All security guards are trained and licensed; and regulated
      to never demand searches at random or by suspicion alone.

      Naturally, untrained and unlicensed persons are not permitted
      to do searches at all. ‌ They are required to call the police for
      that, even if they successfully and legally made a citizen's arrest.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 11:42am

    Am I the only one who HATES most demographic targeting?

    Oh hurray! Instead of a wide variety of products and services I might find engaging or enjoyable, I instead get narrowly tailored advertising for things they TELL ME I should want or things I already have. So I get to watch the same 5 or 6 ads ad nauseum because these are the things that 'my demographic' wants, ignoring the fact that if the ads themselves were actually effective, I'd likely already have them after the second or third viewing....

    Its the same thing that drives me nuts about online 'targeted advertising'. I buy something online, and I get to spend the next long chunk of time having most ads 'target' the thing I ALREADY BOUGHT rather than complimentary goods and serves that might go along with it, or things that... I dunno.. I DON'T HAVE YET!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2017 @ 12:09pm

    When video cameras first started appearing in late-night and 24-hour shops decades ago to film people as they pointed guns at the store clerks, there were always television monitors hanging from the ceiling just inside the entrance door, to notify to everyone upon entering the store that they were being filmed. And for anyone who missed seeing those monitors, or the notification sign next to them, there were large, prominent video cameras hanging from the ceiling behind the cash registers.

    These days, however, store surveillance systems are usually completely hidden, with tiny cameras hidden inside numerous ceiling pods, and no visible monitor to warn customers that they are being filmed. Even the dining rooms of fast-food restaurants are now usually fully video monitored, for no apparent reason (other than "because we can") as there's nothing to steal or shoplift there.

    How did our society evolve from a light least-objectionable full-notification surveillance that we started out with to the stealth, blanket surveillance that we have now?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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