By: Mario Mancini

New York City grocers, facing a widespread shoplifting epidemic, have turned to facial recognition technology as a means of combating theft.

However, their efforts are now being threatened by a City Council proposal that aims to ban the use of such software, according to the NY Post

The proposed bill requires private businesses and residential buildings to obtain written consent from customers before capturing their biometric information. If passed, this rule would severely hinder supermarkets’ ability to utilize the technology effectively.

The proposal gained traction after a public dispute between the city and James Dolan, owner of Madison Square Garden, who had employed facial recognition technology to exclude his legal adversaries from events at his venues, the Post pointed out.

Critics argue that the use of facial recognition technology should be limited to law enforcement agencies, citing concerns about racial profiling and the technology’s high error rates for individuals with darker skin tones.

City Council member Shahana Hanif, co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need to avoid a dystopian future where facial recognition scans become a prerequisite for simple transactions like buying eggs.

The bill proposes a $5,000 fine per violation, along with associated legal fees, and has gained support from 15 legislators, up from seven since the initial committee hearing. However, the bill’s trajectory and timeline for implementation remain uncertain, The NY Post explained.

The security industry, on the other hand, argues that facial recognition technology has significantly improved over the years, rendering concerns about racial profiling outdated.

Jake Parker, director of government relations for the Security Industry Association, highlighted the advancements made in facial recognition software, which now boasts high accuracy rates and employs artificial intelligence, to the NY Post reporters.

Independent grocers, alarmed by the surge in shoplifting incidents since the pandemic, formed a coalition to urge legislators and law enforcement to address the issue. Faced with limited resources, many grocers invested in facial recognition technology to create databases of known shoplifters. By using surveillance footage and facial recognition software, grocers can identify repeat offenders and deter theft. The technology has proven effective in reducing confrontations and deterring potential shoplifters, leading to increased safety for employees and customers alike.

The success stories of grocers like Miguel Garcia, co-owner of multiple supermarkets in the Bronx, have prompted others to consider adopting facial recognition technology. Garcia’s stores use the software in conjunction with text message alerts and a signaling light to detect suspicious individuals, the Post uncovered.

This combined approach has significantly reduced confrontations and improved staff safety. Similarly, Morton Williams, a grocery chain with 16 stores in the city, invested over $1 million in off-duty NYPD officers to mitigate theft. The chain now considers facial recognition technology as a more sustainable solution to protect their stores.

Critics argue that facial recognition software still has limitations, with accuracy rates varying based on gender and ethnicity.

Concerns persist from left wing extremists that the systems may disproportionately misidentify women of color.

Advocacy groups, like the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, demand transparency from grocery stores, requesting data to support their claims of accurate identification.

Carlos Collado, co-owner of Fine Fare grocery stores, has been using facial recognition technology for five months and estimates that it saves him $150 per week per store. The system rarely flags the wrong person, and Collado’s staff can rectify any errors before approaching the individual, the NY Post explained.