Asda has fact-checked the reason why it uses cameras at its self-service cameras and how shoppers' images are used.
The supermarket confirmed to fact-checking charity Full Fact that the cameras are an anti-theft deterrent and they neither record or store footage.
Asda's statement comes after a viral TikTok video in which a shopper accused the supermarket of using facial recognition technology in a bid to collect customer data for targeted ads, The Mirror reports.
In the video which has been viewed over 400,000 times, the woman says the checkout cameras "violate GDPR" as she had not consent to have her data taken. The TikTok has currently amassed over 2,600 comments.
Although the self-checkout cameras scan faces, Asda says it does not use technology that collects, stores or compares "recognised' images.
A spokesperson from Asda told Full Fact: "We have no technology in our stores that could take an image, store it, and then compare it to other images to spot when a 'recognised' face comes into our store. The cameras use AI to focus on faces—you might see a green box around the face—but again this footage isn't recorded or stored."
However, 'traditional' CCTV which does record footage is used elsewhere in stores and its use is outlined on Asda's website.
The supermarket's Privacy Centre states: "CCTV footage is held for approximately 14 to 30 days."
It adds: "ANPR Footage is held for approximately 120 days depending on the specific hardware in place for that site. Where sensors or similar technologies process an image which may contain identifiable information, this is held for no longer than is necessary to remove any identifying information – usually only a few seconds
"In some cases, information from CCTV or ANPR may be kept for longer to support an investigation of a suspected crime or accident or related legal or regulatory action – in which case it may be held for up to 6 years beyond the date of the investigation.
"Where images are required for specific training, awareness or operational efficiency purposes these may be retained for up to 3 years however additional steps are always taken to protect the privacy of an individual appearing in the footage. Such copies will be securely destroyed when they are no longer needed."
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