7-Eleven Launches Facial Recognition Cameras In All Stores Across Australia

A new facial recognition system has been rolled out across 7-Eleven stores in Australia.

Pretty much every store in the country will have some sort of surveillance system to protect themselves against theft and other issues, but it's hoped this new technology will help even more.

People have started noticing signs popping up at their local 7-Eleven and been mildly concerned about the facial recognition software.

The sign reads: "Site is under constant video surveillance. By entering the store you consent to facial recognition cameras capturing and storing your image."

The revelation has sparked concern with some shoppers who say that their rights are being violated.

However, the company has hit back against any worries, saying that the facial recognition software will only be used for one specific purpose.

A spokesperson has told 7News: "The use of facial recognition within the Rate It tablet is to ensure that the feedback is accurate and valid, and given customer feedback is so important to us we don't want the system being 'gamed'.

PA

"The technology is not used for any other purpose. If a customer doesn't use the feedback tablet, their image won't be recorded.

"The camera is only activated upon commencement of an interaction and is dormant at all other times.

"The data captured by the tablet is a biometric blurring and only an encrypted algorithmic representation of the image is recorded."

PA

Clearly, 7-Eleven is really concerned about people potentially leaving fake or misleading reviews about the store experience.

7News reports it's actually to stop staff from giving themselves rave reviews when no one is watching. If the Rate It tablet doesn't detect a face or it's the face of an employee, you can rest assure that it won't be registered.

The Asian arm of the company rolled out a similar technology two years ago to 11,000 stores.

However, the facial recognition software is being used there to identify loyalty members, analyse in-store traffic, monitor product levels, suggest products to customers. It even has the ability to measure the emotions of customers as they walk around.

Topics: News, Technology, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie