Sainsbury’s is set to introduce controversial facial recognition technology in its stores for the first time. The UK’s second-largest supermarket chain aims to tackle shoplifting by using CCTV to automatically scan customers’ faces, aiding in identifying and potentially barring individuals exhibiting violent, aggressive, or theft-related behavior.
Despite facing criticism from privacy groups, Sainsbury’s is commencing an eight-week trial of the technology at two locations: its Sydenham superstore in London and the Bath Oldfield Sainsbury’s Local branch, with the possibility of a nationwide rollout if successful. The company, which operates over 1,400 stores nationwide, clarified that the initiative is not intended for monitoring employees or customers.
Partnering with facial recognition company Facewatch for the trial, Sainsbury’s emphasized that data records would be promptly deleted if unrecognized by the software. The system triggers alerts based on criminal activities reported by the store or neighboring retailers utilizing Facewatch.
Sainsbury’s highlighted a rise in theft, abuse, and threatening conduct despite collaboration with law enforcement and governmental authorities, affecting its teams across the UK on a daily basis. Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, stressed the importance of prioritizing safety amidst growing challenges in the retail sector, while acknowledging concerns regarding data and privacy associated with facial recognition technology.
Shopworkers’ union Usdaw expressed support for Sainsbury’s efforts to enhance safety for retail workers and customers against abuse and violence. On the other hand, Big Brother Watch criticized the use of facial recognition technology, labeling it as intrusive and potentially harmful, advocating for a more cautious approach to addressing retail crime.
In a similar vein, Asda and Iceland have also experimented with live facial recognition technology to combat retail crime in their stores, highlighting a broader trend in the industry towards adopting advanced surveillance measures.
