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.

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.

  • BradleyUffner@lemmy.worldEnglish
    491·
    9 months ago

    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?

    • floofloofEnglish
      17·
      9 months ago

      Dunno, but it needs more of the hammer treatment.

    • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
      9·
      9 months ago

      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·
        9 months ago

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