UWS market’s anti-shoplift scan plan Fairway food & facial recognition
An Upper West Side supermarket is using facial-recognition technology to bust thieves as a wave of shoplifting slams the city — but some customers say it’s an invasion of privacy akin to “Big Brother.”
Fairway at Broadway and West 74th Street is collecting customers’ personal information — such as eye scans and voice prints — in an effort to stop repeat crooks.
“This technology is helping our stores reduce retail crime, an industry-wide challenge that has increased dramatically over the last few years,” the company said. “We have found that this technology — used thoughtfully and in combination with other measures we take to reduce theft — is helping prevent more crime in store.”
The store hung a small sign on its front entrance alerting customers that it “collects, retains, converts, stores or shares” customers’ “biometric information.”
But some shoppers called the controversial technology unsettling.
“It’s a little creepy,” said Shawn Adams, 37, who was shopping at the store Thursday. “It’s an invasion of privacy.”
Claudia, a retired teacher from the Upper West Side, worried what would happen to her personal data once it was collected.
“I don’t like it. I just don’t like Big Brother watching what I’m doing,” she said. “I don’t like people to take my information.”
Retail thefts in the Big Apple hit a record high last year with complaints soaring to more than 63,000 — a 45% jump from 2021. Many of the crooks were repeat offenders, with 327 suspected thieves making up 30% of the total.
“My initial reaction was against it, but thinking it through, I’m not anti,” said Anette Ronner, 77, a retired fashion-industry worker from the Upper West Side. “I’m leaning towards acceptance. I think it will deter some shoplifting, which we all end up paying for eventually with higher and higher prices.”
Fairway said it’s following all laws associated with the technology.
Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan has recently come under fire for his use of facial-recognition technology to ban lawyers involved in suing his firm from entering his venues.