Rite Aid deployed facial recognition systems in hundreds of U.S. stores

Gerald · 08-03-20, 11:05 PM

https://www.reuters.com/investigates...v=523023280720
ON CAMERA: DeepCam, a facial recognition system deployed by pharmacy chain Rite Aid, captured this footage of a Reuters photographer at a store in New York in November. After Reuters informed Rite Aid of this article's findings, the company said it had ended the surveillance program.

https://www.reuters.com/investigates...eaid-software/

By JEFFREY DASTIN in LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK CITY Filed July 28, 2020, 11 a.m. GMT

Quote:

In the hearts of New York and metro Los Angeles, Rite Aid installed facial recognition technology in largely lower-income, non-white neighborhoods, Reuters found. Among the technology the U.S. retailer used: a state-of-the-art system from a company with links to China and its authoritarian government.

Quote:

Over about eight years, the American drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp quietly added facial recognition systems to 200 stores across the United States, in one of the largest rollouts of such technology among retailers in the country, a Reuters investigation found.

In the hearts of New York and metro Los Angeles, Rite Aid deployed the technology in largely lower-income, non-white neighborhoods, according to a Reuters analysis. And for more than a year, the retailer used state-of-the-art facial recognition technology from a company with links to China and its authoritarian government.

Of course, the company makes an official statement that it does not monitor anything that everyone knows "is not true".

Buddahaid · 08-03-20, 11:36 PM

UghTypical and the same tactic T(et dans le)rump uses daily. Do it and deny it loudly.

Sean C · 08-03-20, 11:48 PM

I'm so tired of hearing that man's name. I think I'm going to vote for him in the next election, just out of spite.

Buddahaid · 08-03-20, 11:51 PM

Go ahead. I was tired of him ten years ago.

Sean C · 08-04-20, 12:32 AM

Either way I'll be hearing it for a long time. The next President will blame him for everything, too. Just like they all do. [Sigh...]

Back on topic: Any "loyalty card" you have or even your debit card number can be used to track your purchasing habits and form a surprisingly detailed picture of your personality, preferences, problems and your life in general. Putting a face to the data is just icing on the cake.

Now, I'm not saying that all of this data collection is right. But ... if you are a single male, would you rather get a coupon for the exact razor you use or a coupon for some diapers - or no coupon at all?

Gerald · 08-04-20, 03:35 AM

Today it is probably the case that most people are aware of how authorities and companies systematically track and collect data in different databases. The companies' policy is to ultimately resell information and make money that pleases the shareholder in the long run. But there are simple tricks to take to minimize this for yourself, or hide and complicate the collection of personal data.

stork100 · 08-04-20, 05:26 AM

Facial recognition in a time when we're all expected to be wearing face masks.

Jimbuna · 08-04-20, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel B.

Either way I'll be hearing it for a long time. The next President will blame him for everything, too. Just like they all do. [Sigh...]

A bit like a revolving door.

Gerald · 08-04-20, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stork100

Facial recognition in a time when we're all expected to be wearing face masks.

Good point!

08-03-20, 11:36 PM	#2
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,324 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	UghTypical and the same tactic T(et dans le)rump uses daily. Do it and deny it loudly. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie Last edited by Buddahaid; 08-03-20 at 11:52 PM.

08-03-20, 11:48 PM	#3
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	I'm so tired of hearing that man's name. I think I'm going to vote for him in the next election, just out of spite. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet

08-03-20, 11:51 PM	#4
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,324 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	Go ahead. I was tired of him ten years ago. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

08-04-20, 12:32 AM	#5
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	Either way I'll be hearing it for a long time. The next President will blame him for everything, too. Just like they all do. [Sigh...] Back on topic: Any "loyalty card" you have or even your debit card number can be used to track your purchasing habits and form a surprisingly detailed picture of your personality, preferences, problems and your life in general. Putting a face to the data is just icing on the cake. Now, I'm not saying that all of this data collection is right. But ... if you are a single male, would you rather get a coupon for the exact razor you use or a coupon for some diapers - or no coupon at all? __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet

08-04-20, 03:35 AM	#6
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Today it is probably the case that most people are aware of how authorities and companies systematically track and collect data in different databases. The companies' policy is to ultimately resell information and make money that pleases the shareholder in the long run. But there are simple tricks to take to minimize this for yourself, or hide and complicate the collection of personal data. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-04-20, 05:26 AM	#7
stork100 Weps Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Australia Posts: 371 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	Facial recognition in a time when we're all expected to be wearing face masks.