I wanted to know if my local Food Basics store is tracking me.

I looked at the privacy policy on foodbasics.ca and not finding any mention of this, but wanting to be sure, I emailed their Privacy Officer.

This is the email I sent:

Hello,

I shop at the food basics store at [Address] in [City],

I would like to know if you use facial recognition or identification technology in the store? And if so, for what purpose, and if the information is stored for how long?

Thank you,
[Me]

Here is the response I got:

Hello,

I confirm that Metro does not use facial recognition technology or any other technology that allows the identification of individual at the Food Basics stores.

Best regards
Eliane
Legal Counsel

Just want to share to encourage everyone to learn about and exercise your consumer privacy rights.

  • Em Adespoton
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    5 months ago

    That’s great, except it’s a lie — if they use card readers, they’re using technology that allows the identification of an individual. This makes me question the veracity of the rest of the statement.

  • PerogiBoi
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    5 months ago

    Cadillac Fairview, who owns all the major malls in Canadian major cities also said they don’t employ facial recognition in their stores and only use cameras for security. It was only later that journalists exposed that they were absolutely using it for years to collect and digitally profile all shoppers and tie them to IDs.

    https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5781735

  • Jeff
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    5 months ago

    Well they have just started installing new camera systems and yes they are facial recognition the albion store has it already installed is this legal?

    • Baggins [he/him]OP
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      5 months ago

      Nice 😎 Sounds like someone needs to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner!

      Or email them to ask about it THEN complain and attach their email for extra style point!

  • Jeff
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    5 months ago

    Ive heard employees will be tracked also in the backroom and rumors of hidden cameras