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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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[-] Rodeo@lemmy.ca 14 points 9 months ago

that's vandalism and can get you in trouble.

A simple sticker though, which can be easily removed, doesn't count as vandalism, and can be done over and over again for almost no cost.

[-] NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Man, I sure got a lot of stickers, too...

[-] lettruthout@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

That or a more elaborate sticker/photo taped far enough away so the camera may focus on it. Maybe an image of Alfred E. Neuman? Or some kind of FU meme?

this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2024

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