Store mannequins 'spy on customers'

[Still Waters]

An Italian firm selling mannequins that secretly monitor the age, race and gender of customers using facial recognition software has come under fire from privacy groups.

The information logged by the dummies is then used to implement more effective marketing strategies by stores in the US and Europe.

And the manufacturer now plans to add audio recording to the dummies' capabilities, listening in on customers' discussions about their clients' products.

The mannequins, known as "EyeSee" are manufactured by Italian company Almax and retail for £3,200 each.

http://www.telegraph...en-cameras.html

[praetorian-legio XIII]

Another step closer to "Big Brother"

[Simbi Laveau]

That's messed up . I think security cameras in mannequins is a good idea,but facial recognition ?

Uncool

[pallidin]

Well, that's just messed-up. Cameras to help catch shoplifters? Ok. Facial recognition and voice monitoring, bad.

I wonder how that could even be legal, at least here in the US.

[Painnsufferin]

While the facial recognition and other fun features may be new, camera's in the dummies is an old trick. The tech has evolved, the criminal shall follow.