Facewatch: The Controversial Facial Recognition Technology Used by UK Retailers to Combat Shoplifting and Violence
Facewatch is a cloud-based facial recognition system deployed by UK retailers such as Sainsbury's, Budgens, and Sports Direct to scan customers as they enter stores. The system compares faces against a database of known offenders and triggers alerts if a match is found. Retailers argue that the technology helps curb shoplifting amid concerns over police response and stretched resources.
Official data highlights a 13% increase in shoplifting offences, reaching almost 530,000 in the year to June, with more than 80% of these cases resulting in no charge. Retailers also report more than 2,000 daily incidents of violence or abuse against staff. For example, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre noted shoplifting losses amounting to around 1.5% of turnover and expressed significant safety concerns for staff amid brazen theft.
Civil liberties groups have voiced warnings that this technology erodes privacy and risks creating a form of privatised policing. Silkie Carlo from Big Brother Watch described the system as "dangerous and troubling for fairness."
There have been instances of errors, such as the case involving Rennea Nelson, who was wrongly flagged as a shoplifter at a B&M store. The retailer apologised and attributed the incident to a rare human error. Facewatch states that it stores data only on known repeat offenders and complies with GDPR regulations. CEO Nick Fisher defends the technology as proportionate and beneficial when used appropriately.
