Sainsbury’s Eyes Up Shoplifters With Live Facial Recognition
Sainsbury’s, Britain’s second-largest supermarket chain, has caught the attention of privacy campaigners by launching an eight-week trial of live facial recognition (LFR) tech in two of its stores to curb shoplifting.
A survey of the grocer’s customers in July indicated a majority support for the use of LFR to protect staff and customers, it said, with 63 percent saying it would help to identify repeat offenders.
“We have listened to the deep concerns our colleagues and customers have and they’re right to expect us to act,” CEO Simon Roberts said in a statement. “The retail sector is at a crossroads, facing rising abuse, antisocial behavior and violence. We must put safety first.”
The British Retail Consortium’s crime survey found 20 million incidents of theft in 2023-24, up 25 percent year-on-year and costing £2.2 billion. There were an estimated 2,000-plus instances of violence and abuse against shopworkers a day.
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates there were more than 530,000 shoplifting crimes committed in the year to March, up by a fifth on the 2024 figures.
The trials are to commence this week at stores in Sydenham, London, and in the Oldfield Sainsbury’s Local store in Bath. The LFR is being provided by Facewatch, which privacy activist group Big Brother Watch claimed has already led to multiple cases of innocent shoppers being accused of stealing.
“Sainsbury’s decision to trial Orwellian facial recognition technology in its shops is deeply disproportionate and chilling. Facial recognition surveillance turns shoppers into suspects, with devastating consequences for people’s lives when it inevitably makes mistakes,” said Madeleine Stone, Big Brother Watch’s senior advocacy officer.
“Sainsbury’s and Facewatch are adding customers to secret watchlists with no due process, meaning people are being falsely accused, grossly mistreated and blacklisted from shops, despite being entirely innocent. We are regularly hearing from and supporting distressed people who have been caught up in a confusing net of privatized surveillance, despite being entirely innocent.”
Records of shoppers’ faces will be immediately deleted if the software does not recognize their mug.
The campaign group said facial recognition is “dangerously out of control in the UK” and urged the supermarket to ditch the trial and the government to “prevent the unchecked spread of this invasive technology.”
Sainsbury’s operates 600 supermarkets and more than 850 convenience stores, employing roughly 153,000 people.
Roberts said: “We understand facial recognition technology can raise valid questions about data and privacy. This trial and subsequent rollout is not about monitoring colleagues or our valued customers. It’s focused solely on identifying serious offenders who have committed acts of violence, aggression, or theft, helping our teams prevent further harm.”
In June, frozen supermarket biz Iceland launched a trial of facial recognition tech at several of its outlets across the UK with the intent to cut down on crime. Other retailers deploying cameras in this way include House of Fraser, Sports Direct, Home Bargains, and Co-op. Asda is also trialling facial recognition at five stores in Britland.
Liz Evans, chief commercial officer at Asda, said in March: “The rise in shoplifting and threats and violence against shopworkers in recent years is unacceptable and as a responsible retailer we have to look at all options to reduce the number of offences committed in our stores and protect our colleagues.” ®
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