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<p><span style="font-weight:400">California shoppers are furious at a grocery store chain that is implementing new facial recognition technology to identify people suspected of shoplifting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Some Grocery Outlet stores in the Bay Area will use anti-theft software called SAFR, including its Pleasant Hill “Bargain Market” location</span><span style="font-weight:400">, </span><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/grocery-outlets-facial-recognition-rollout-divides-bay-area-shoppers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight:400">according</span></a><span style="font-weight:400"> to CBS News</span><span style="font-weight:400">. The Emeryville-based chain’s move is leaving shoppers concerned about their faces being scanned and their privacy being invaded. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Signs posted on the front doors of the stores will notify customers that the technology is being used.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Shoplifting in California has increased 50% since the COVID-19 pandemic, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/grocery-outlets-facial-recognition-rollout-divides-bay-area-shoppers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to recent FBI data</span><span style="font-weight:400">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">June Guerrero, who managed a store for several years, said she understands the need for facial recognition technology since she has witnessed how theft has affected retailers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">“I worked for years as a manager of a store and the theft was just unbelievable,” Guerrero told CBS News. “I agree with it.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Reactions to the technology are mixed. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">“I do understand, but invading my privacy with my picture, I don’t agree on that,” Barbara Jackson told CBS News. “You gotta find a better way.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Steve Burdette said his main concern is false flags. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">“It could lead to a lot of problems, I think for companies and businesses and people,” Burdette said to CBS News. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Dr. Ahmed Banafa, an engineering professor at San Jose State, said that without safeguards in place, this technology could make the grocery chain susceptible to lawsuits. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">“The human has to be in the loop. It’s not just the system that says it’s a match. The human will make the final decision,” Banafa said. “AI is famous for going after, you know, certain races.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">Charisse Jacques, the SAFR president, said the technology only retains information on shoplifting suspects for a limited time. Jacques said it does not collect a database of people in the stores and is not connected to law enforcement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400">According to SAFR, the company does not share the information with the government agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/07/15/us-news/draconian-change-coming-to-major-california-grocery-store-chain-and-shoppers-are-furious/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. </span></p>
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<br /><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/invading-my-privacy-shoppers-sound-off-on-grocery-chains-new-anti-theft-measure">Source link </a></p>
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Shoppers Sound Off On Grocery Chain’s New Anti-Theft Measure
