Bristol supermarket using face recognition technology

The plan

Co-op branches in the south of England are using live surveillance to scan shoppers in stores, claims a campaign group. Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch protested Southern Co-op’s use of facial recognition technology last year. The group has spoken out against the supermarket chain expanding the new technology across 35 stores in the south, including Bristol.

The issue

Co-op has since responded by stating that colleagues have been facing abuse in stores. Subsequently, they are seeking to protect the well-being of their staff members at work by using the technology.

Other cities in which the live facial recognition technology have been installed are Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Southampton, West London and West Ewell.

Human rights

According to Big Brother Watch, Southern Co-op’s use of facial recognition technology may raise issues about customers’ right to privacy. There are also increasing concerns about race and gender discrimination. Customers are concerned about accuracy due to the widespread use of face coverings in light of Covid.

In a statement, director of Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo said, “The Southern Co-op’s use of live face surveillance raises serious legal concerns and leaves them open to a legal challenge. If the company is serious about respecting customers’ rights and concern for the community, it should drop its facial recognition cameras immediately.”

Co ops response

However, the Southern Co-op has fought back to allegations of human rights breaches. The store claims that by installing retail surveillance they are ensuring safety and security for their colleagues and therefore, their customers.

A spokesperson for the Bristol Co-op said: “The violence and abuse faced by our colleagues is sickening and unacceptable. We take our customers’ rights extremely seriously. We have worked hard to balance these with the vital need to protect our store colleagues.”

To follow the latest on the store’s battle with the new technology, read here.