Gambling and alcohol reform groups have joined together to call from a pause on pubs and casinos using facial recognition technology, highlighting problems with the tech plus potential privacy concerns.
The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) have come together on the issue.
They want new legislation around FRT to be introduced, highlighting both privacy concerns and the potential to exclude customers with addictions.
Plus, they pointed out that FRT can be faulty, particularly when it’s trying to identify people of colour, people with a disability and women. This could pose serious risks for those who might be wrongly identified.
In a letter penned by the two groups, they pointed to fears about the exclusion and punishment of people with dependencies “at the cost of other, more effective and system-wide responses”.
“We are also concerned about the potential use of FRT data for targeted advertising of addictive products to individuals who are especially vulnerable to the harms that these products can
cause,” it said. CrikeyCarol BennettCaternia Giorgi agreed to pauseGamblers Helpline can be reached on 1800 858 858 or at gamblershelp.com.au.
