Asda is starting a trial of facial recognition technology in five Greater Manchester stores to combat retail crime, particularly employee assaults. The system from FaiceTech will integrate with existing CCTV and maintain high data privacy standards. It aims to improve security and reduce incidents effectively.
Asda, the well-known British supermarket chain, has launched a trial of facial recognition technology in five stores, aimed at bolstering security amidst rising incidents of retail crime. The initiative was prompted by alarming statistics that reported around 1,400 assaults against staff members over the past year, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.
The supplier of this technology is FaiceTech, a startup based in the UK. Over the next couple of months, Asda will implement this system across its stores in the Greater Manchester area. The goal is to proactively combat shoplifting and other violent threats against employees, which Asda considers unacceptable.
Liz Evans, chief commercial officer for Non-food and Retail at Asda, stated, “The rise in shoplifting and threats and violence against shopworkers in recent years is unacceptable.” She emphasized that as a responsible retailer, Asda must explore all available options to ensure safety for their colleagues and reduce crime in stores.
This facial recognition technology will work in conjunction with existing CCTV networks, scanning shopper images against a watchlist of previous offenders. In cases where there’s no match, the system deletes images and biometric templates immediately and permanently to protect privacy.
FaiceTech claims its edge-based live facial recognition system, FaiceAlert, boasts an impressive 99.992% accuracy in facial matching from a database. Plus, the company insists it adheres closely to UK data privacy laws, including the GDPR and follows a Privacy by Design framework to ensure comprehensive data protection.
The company has also developed other products such as FaiceMatch for historical recognition, FaiceAccess for access control, and Axis On-Edge Camera solutions. This range of technology showcases their capability in the growing field of biometric solutions for retail and security.
Asda is taking significant steps to address rising violence in retail environments with its new facial recognition pilot program. By utilizing FaiceTech’s technology in select stores, the supermarket not only hopes to enhance safety measures for employees but also aims to reduce crime levels. With a strong focus on privacy and accuracy, this initiative reflects a broader trend in retail toward adopting advanced security solutions.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
