Rite Aid found using facial recognition across the US

US drugstore chain Rite Aid quietly used facial recognition technology in hundreds of stores in mostly lower-income, non-white neighbourhoods across the US, according to a Reuters investigation, prompting a civil and political backlash.

RiteAid defended its policy by arguing that the technology was only being used in a 'data-driven' manner to detect and deter crime and violence, and that the cameras were appropriately flagged to customers. But the chain swiftly shut down its system after the Reuters investigation, claiming its 'decision was in part based on a larger industry conversation.'

The investigation also indicated 'serious drawbacks' with RiteAid's first facial recognition partner, FaceFirst, whose technology several security professionals described as inaccurate, especially with regard to Black people and those from other races. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had earlier questioned whether American retail chains were using face recognition without telling their customers. RiteAid, like nineteen other chains, refused to answer.