Sainsbury's making change to 150 stores after trial despite risk of backlash

Sainsbury's is rolling out facial recognition technology to 150 stores after a trial in 55 branches, despite backlash over privacy concerns. The AI-powered system, which the supermarket claims has 99.88% accuracy, has drawn criticism after an innocent shopper was wrongly identified and escorted out of a store.

Sainsbury's making change to 150 stores after trial despite risk of backlash Sainsbury's, which has stores in Birmingham, has trialled the AI-powered system live in 55 branches. Sainsbury's is extending facial recognition tech to 150 stores - after a trial. Sainsbury's https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/sainsburys , which has stores in Birmingham https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/ , has trialled the AI-powered system live in 55 branches. The supermarket giant, which is rivalled by Aldi https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/aldi and Lidl https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/lidl as well as Asda https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/asda , Tesco https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/tesco and Morrisons https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/morrisons , says it has a 99.88% accuracy rate. It is now rolling them out further after the trial - despite risking fury. Among the critics is innocent shopper Warren Rajah, who was wrongly identified and escorted out of a South London branch without explanation. He described the ordeal as “Orwellian” and slammed the technology. READ MORE Andy Burnham council tax rule would hand households in England £556 discount When Sainsbury’s first announced its Facewatch partnership, it said: “Sadly, despite all this and more, incidents of abuse, aggression and theft are rising. Our colleagues have told us they’re worried.” It comes as Simon Roberts, the chief executive of the UK’s second-largest supermarket, said it was still early in the year and there was “still uncertainty where inflation will go”. Mr Roberts said customers were being “much more cautious” on non-food purchases and the market was “more subdued and more promotional” than on groceries. He said Sainsbury’s would like to see the likely next prime minister, Labour Party https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/labour-party MP Andy Burnham, introduce “policies that can support confidence and optimism” among shoppers, reiterating calls for action to reduce the cost of energy for food producers and support to increase hiring, especially of young people. “We have seen a lot of regulatory cost coming to this industry in the last couple of years and I would like to see a real focus on growth,” Roberts said. Sainsbury’s had enjoyed a “really exceptional week” during the hot weather and World Cup fixtures for England and Scotland last week, he added, with “a lot of demand” for fresh fruit, barbecue items and deli foods and the retailer’s “biggest ever” week on ice-cream, pizza and salads.