Supermarkets are one step closer to a new self-checkout warning notice next to a scary “unidentified object in luggage compartment” warning staff of illegal attempts to buy alcohol.
AI firms are seeing success in Home Office-backed trials of “age estimation technology” at retail chains like Tesco and Asda to monitor alcohol sales.
Four supermarket chains — Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Co-Op — have tested age verification technology from “digital identity” company Yoti in several stores, and three Bestway outlets have tested a “biometric solution” from another company. Innovative technology, proven.
Yoti uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to estimate the age of a customer based on a face scan at a self-service checkout.
He stopped turning down all customers under the age of 25 and warned the employee to conduct his own due diligence.
The Home Office said the scan took up to three seconds and all photos were permanently deleted after the age assessment was completed.
“We believe the trials have been a great success,” Yoti spokeswoman Rachel Trotman said.
“There have been no reported sales of underage shoppers purchasing age-restricted products using our age verification technology, and participating supermarkets have confirmed that they will support digital age verification and welcome legislative changes in this area.”
Innovative Technology devices scanned customers’ faces to determine their age based on their facial features. It then alerted employees if the person was under 25 and recommended a manual identity check.
The “anonymous age assessment” was conducted offline, so no photographs or data that the company “kept secret” were stored.
However, the result is almost certain to raise new concerns among privacy activists, who have called facial recognition cameras in stores “Orwellian.”
Last year, privacy rights group Big Brother Watch filed a lawsuit with the Information Commissioner alleging that the Southern Cooperative’s use of biometric cameras in 35 convenience stores was “illegal.”
The retailer defended its justified launch in “a limited number of high-risk locations” and claimed they helped prevent “violent attacks”.
The Home Office said of trials at other retail chains: “The work was an important step towards a better understanding of what is required to successfully integrate age verification technologies into an existing robust regulatory and law enforcement licensing system.
“The trials led to a number of findings that represent important points for the education of alcohol dealers and those responsible for monitoring and enforcement.”
Source: I News
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