- 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.
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