You’re probably aware that your online activities are tracked by all sorts of marketing malarkey, starting from the humble cookie upwards. But what about in-store ads? How would you feel if you knew they were tracking you, defining you and setting up advertising targeted at you? Turns out it’s already a reality.
The Courier Mail reports on the adoption of in-store display panels that use facial recognition technology to identify your age, gender and mood, and serve you ads based on what it detects. So if you’re licking your lips, you’d get more ads for Maccas or KFC, presumably, unless you’re a bloke in a lingerie store, in which case you’ll simply get thrown out.
The Australian firm that distributes the technology Yeahpoint, claims that it’s only used for demographic targeting rather than building profiles of individual shoppers, and that an (unnamed) retail chain has already installed around 130 surveillance displays around the country.[Courier Mail]
Image: kissmygrandmother
EckyThump
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 11:18 AMNot really sure I’d mind this sort of advertising in-store, it would be rather intrusive in adds outside though! Everybody who sees you walking past a sign would have a general idea of what it is your thinking,..I’m thinking! #]
Aliasalpha
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 11:27 AMImagine the fun you could have pulling faces at the billboard & seeing what ads you could trigger
hugh
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 12:53 PMNo good will ever come from facial recognition software. All research and development on the topic should be halted now.
bugwan
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 12:59 PMFinding missing persons, wanted criminals?
I understand the libertarian issues, but I think there’s more we can get our of this technology yet, before pulling the pin.
On another note, I remember there was a UK(?) restaurant which used a microphone near their externally-displayed menu to gauge client reactions… Menu options were adjusted according to ‘feedback’…until they were busted of course.
morgan
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 2:08 PMwhen walt disney was building disneyland, he had a dining room built for special occasions with its own kitchen, lounge area, balcony over the main night shows etc. and he had microphones installed in the chandeliers above the table so someone could listen in on the conversations, so if anyone mentioned desiring a piece of food or beverage, the kitchen could quickly make it and have it delivered, it was supposedly never used, but theyre still in the chandeliers
another idea he had for the room was animatronic animal heads mounted on the walls that would talk and interact with the guests, but were never built :\
Marshall
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 2:14 PMIf you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to hide.
Fistbeard McTavish
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 3:06 PMMinority Report FTW!
Wait-…
simon c
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 3:11 PMthis device wont function in sweden on children under the age of 12.
would being female and upset result in more tampon ads? :D
On a more serious note would burqa wearing women receive a generic profile? equally would luddites be allowed to cover their faces in public to avoid these systems?
The obvious. Hook this device up to facebook. then you would have a whole bucket of data for targeting ads. Post dog dies, receive ads for puppies or gravestones.
@bugwan
more can be had of the tech but should it? Sure, finding missing people and catching criminals are fine goals. This tech could also aids criminals by identifying police. undercover operations would become very difficult. What about the safety of higher officials? Dirty advertisers may sell live location data to the highest bidding assassin.
I worry about the technology path we are heading down.
highlydubious
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 4:02 PMI think now would be the most appropriate time to panic.
Franz
Monday, September 5, 2011 at 10:43 PMWhich is why all the smart people will be seeking asylum FROM Australia soon.
JAck
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8:51 AMAnd go where?
America is a joke, the UK is depressing and I really don’t want to have learn another language lol.
Ash
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 10:07 AMOk so there are differing opinions here with differing future scenarios regarding the technology. With this particular case, I think there should be clear signage of what the store chain is doing and maybe even an opt out option.