The machines are distributed by the Texas-based American Rounds.
    • FuglyDuckEnglish
      3•2 months ago

      ACLU

      We asked some of America’s biggest retailers and, with a few exceptions, they refused to tell us.

      Naturally. Like Bruno, you don’t generally talk about your security arrangements. Most companies that install security cameras for commercial uses have their own AI system- or a relationship with a company that provides it. It can actually be extremely useful and not at all as awful as you imagine. Usually, it’s actually quite worse. one might even say nefarious.

      in any case…

      We do know that most major retailers have video cameras in their stores. We know that at least one face recognition vendor is pushing the use of the technology for identifying shoplifters, and claims to have several Fortune 500 retailers among its clients. We know the technology’s use is rapidly growing in the UK. We know the New York Times reported recently that the use of face recognition is being “explored” at Madison Square Garden. We know that Walmart tested the technology in its stores for several months in 2015. And now we know that at least one major American retailer, Lowe’s hardware, has begun using the technology without informing visitors to its stores.

      and it goes on.

      But I think it’s fair to say that most customers do not think that they are being subject to a perpetual lineup, scrutinized by face recognition technology to see if they resemble anyone that a company security service has decided to put on a watch list. They do not expect that their faces are being captured, retained, connected to their real-world identity (for example when they use a credit card at checkout), and combined with information about their income, education, demographics, and other data. They do not expect that their every footstep, hand motion, and gaze will be analyzed by computers and filed away to give insight into their shopping habits, patterns, and preferences, and shared among different companies, data brokers, and advertisers. They do not expect that they are subject to the risk of being misidentified as someone in a database of suspected criminals, fugitives, terrorists, or whatever other blacklists stores may be using or begin using in the future. They don’t expect that all these intimate details about their behavior will become accessible to government agencies through legal demands or voluntary sharing.

      And if those things are happening, I think most customers would want to know about it.

      if you scroll there’s a very clear message of “we don’t know, they’re not saying”. they asked 20 of the top retailers… most refused to answer. of the remainder that did answer… only one said ‘no’.

      Remember, we don’t talk about Bruno. but maybe we should.

      • @[email protected]English
        0•2 months ago

        I might be misreading this, but it seems like the ACLU is saying it’s possible, but they don’t have any yard evidence.

        • FuglyDuckEnglish
          1•2 months ago

          Of course there’s no hard evidence.

          You really think the people that have first hand knowledge are allowed to tell them? You think that Walmart or anyone else is going to admit to knowing your dick size?* (Or your partner’s as the case may be?)

          All the people that responded back, only two gave a hard answer, and I’d be willing to bet that the one that said “no” probably weaseled it with something like “we do not do facial recognition for security reasons” or whatever if they’re doing it for “marketing” or “improving shopper experience” or whatever.

          And what they’re doing isn’t illegal (and they’ve lobbied governments across the world to ensure that,) so they simply don’t have to answer.

          Of course there’s no hard evidence. But there’s plenty of soft evidence. Like how the fuck do you think they’re going to pop personalized adds in store if they don’t know who you are and what you’re doing?

          “But they don’t know my dicksize! You’re just being alarmist!”…. You ever buy condoms?

            • FuglyDuckEnglish
              2•2 months ago

              “hard” evidence.

              you’re sealioning. I’ve already dropped plenty of good evidence. You’re welcome to drop any evidence you have, at all, that they’re not. including the ACLU, and several other sources.

              I’ll wait.

              You’re wrong if you think you’re entire life isn’t already in Walmart’s database, though. Or any other major retailer. or minor retailer. Or the data brokers that are buying and selling from everybody. Welcome to 2024.

                • FuglyDuckEnglish
                  1•2 months ago

                  You sound a bit salty.

                  Allow me to explain something.

                  I cannot give you what you want. But I do have first hand experience with these systems. I don’t expect you to trust me, but they are doing this. They’d have to be monumentally stupid not to. The data is that valuable.

                  But you should probably go reread the alcu article, specifically the part where Walmart settled out of court because they were (illegally,) using clear view’s service.

                  Do you seriously think that they’re just gonna admit being monumentally creepy? Nope. But everyone is.