7-Eleven has reportedly started using facial recognition technology in its Australian stores.
According to reports on 7News.com.au, the convenience chain introduced the software last month to enhance the capabilities of its customer service tool ‘Rate It’, which currently allows customers to record their in-store experience via an in-store tablet. The software is live across its more than 700 stores.
Customers are now being advised by in-store signage that they are under video surveillance and that by entering the store they are consenting to the technology both capturing and storing their image.
Data captured by the software will be used to gather more accurate customer feedback, according to 7News, and individual stores will not be able to access the data, Images will only be recorded if a customer uses the feedback tablet and will use encrypted algorithmic representation of the image, to create biometric blurring. Recorded images will be deleted after seven days.
The technology is reportedly different to that used in the chain’s stores in Thailand.