Privacy

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'Facial recognition' error message on vending machine sparks concern at University of Waterloo (kitchener.ctvnews.ca)

submitted 9 months ago by Ninjazzon@infosec.pub to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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A set of smart vending machines at the University of Waterloo is expected to be removed from campus after students raised privacy concerns about their software.

The machines have M&M artwork on them and sell chocolate and other candy. They are located throughout campus, including in the Modern Languages building and Hagey Hall.

Earlier this month, a student noticed an error message on one of the machines in the Modern Languages building. It appeared to indicate there was a problem with a facial recognition application.

"We wouldn't have known if it weren't for the application error. There's no warning here," said River Stanley, a fourth-year student, who investigated the machines for an article in the university publication, mathNEWS.

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[–] BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 48 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Regardless of the privacy issues, if this is actually a default feature of this machine, why does the camera hole look like it was put there with a hammer?

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 15 points 9 months ago

Dunno, but it needs more of the hammer treatment.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I bet it's from people picking at it and the paint chipping off the sharp edge, but it does also look like the hole was drilled on a Friday afternoon by a guy who probably should have retired 10 years ago.

[–] townfox@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago

I think it’s remnants of chewing gum the students were putting in there.

[–] ResoluteCatnap@lemmy.ml 5 points 9 months ago

I thought you were exaggerating...lmao

[–] NotJustForMe@lemmy.ml 2 points 9 months ago

The facial recognition error might be ”no suitable camera found“?