• The University of Waterloo is expected to remove smart vending machines from its campus.
  • A student discovered an error code that suggested the machines used facial-recognition technology.
  • Vending Services said the technology didn’t take or store customers’ photos.
  • girsaysdoom@sh.itjust.works
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    8 months ago

    It might be advertisements. Some newer gas stations/grocery stores have ads playing on the refrigerated section and when it detects someone on front of the door it will go clear or show a picture of what’s behind the door.

    It’s completely ridiculous but it’s where things are going now.

    • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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      8 months ago

      Yes. I saw a video about Japanese vending machines and they talked about these cameras being used to help with targeted advertising, either by knowing the person or identifying their demographics and selling to that.