Outback Steakhouse faced criticism for implementing an automated employee performance tracking system at a franchise in Portland, Oregon, forcing it to terminate the technology.

Called Presto Vision, the computer vision technology uses existing surveillance infrastructure to analyse interactions between staff and customers, measuring metrics such as server attentiveness and food delivery times. The data collected aimed to provide managers with insights to improve operational efficiency and customer service.

However, the system raised widespread concerns amongst employees regarding privacy and autonomy, with many workers saying they were not informed about how the system would affect their roles, resulting in fears about potential job insecurity and the implications of automated performance assessments on staffing decisions. 

Critics argue that such surveillance tools could lead to workforce reductions or altered schedules based on the data collected.

To address privacy concerns, the Presto Vision system anonymised data and deleted footage within a short period. 

However, the broader trend of increasing surveillance in the restaurant industry, including similar technologies used by other chains, sparked a debate about the ethical balance between operational efficiency and employee rights.