A pensioner who was thrown out of a shop after facial recognition technology wrongly identified him as a thief said he felt « helpless » and « physically sick » after the ordeal. Ian Clayton, 67, a grandfather from Chester, was told to leave his local Home Bargains after the security technology Facewatch incorrectly linked him to a previous theft. Mr Clayton said he was subsequently told to leave the store by staff members in front of a group of other shoppers, an incident that left him feeling « helpless ».
« I thought I was going to be sick. « That feeling didn’t go away all day and it didn’t go away the next day. » Facial recognition technology is used by a number of major UK retailers, including Sports Direct, Asda and Sainsbury’s, as well as Home Bargains.
The 67-year-old told the BBC: « I’ve got a perfectly clean record – always have. I pride myself in that.
« I’m not a shoplifter and I really resent being targeted as one and having my face on a system that I can’t even have removed. »
He contacted Facewatch after being ejected from the store and was sent a photo of himself alongside claims that he had put several items into a bag and stolen them.
A spokesperson for the company said Mr Clayton should not have been on the system and confirmed that his image and the « associated record » had been permanently removed.
*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***
They added that Home Bargains « has now completed a full review of the incident » and took accuracy complaints extremely seriously, acting promptly when something did not meet the required standards.
A spokesperson for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said: « No one should be wrongly identified and accused due to errors in facial recognition systems.
« We will continue to work closely with the Information Commissioner’s office to ensure regulations remain effective. »
The Express has contacted Home Bargains for comment.
Source link
