- Sainsbury's is set to trial controversial facial recognition technology in two UK stores, Sydenham and Bath, for an eight-week period.
- The supermarket chain states the technology aims to combat rising retail crime, including shoplifting, violence, and aggressive behaviour, with potential for a nationwide rollout.
- Privacy groups have heavily criticised the move, drawing parallels to a similar trial by rival Asda that faced numerous complaints.
- Sainsbury's clarified the system is solely for identifying serious offenders and not for monitoring staff or general customers, with unmatched records being instantly deleted.
- Both Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts and the USDAW union have expressed support for the trial, emphasising the need to protect retail workers and customers.
IN FULL
Major supermarket becomes latest to use facial recognition technology inside stores
