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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19944734

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A sight previously thought to be science fiction is very real at a southeast Kansas City shopping center. Instead of a police officer, a security robot has been patrolling sidewalks and shoppers are taking notice.

Since Marshall the robot has been on the job, shoppers say the experiences have completely changed when they come to these stores. The robot can spend 23 hours a day monitoring the parking lot from all angles which gives people a new sense of protection and ease they don’t always have when out.

Marshall took over security at Brywood Centre in April. Before that, Karen White noticed a lot of trouble outside the shopping center.

“Sometimes it’d be concerning for your car like someone could take it or something,” White said.

Knowing now that Marshall is always watching, the risk of crime does not worry her or others as much.

“It made it very better, like you can’t be in the parking lot without seeing the robot,” White continued. “So, I think it scared them off.”

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[-] j4k3@lemmy.world 14 points 2 months ago

I live under a rock and don't get out much due to physical disability, but I don't see a security improvement. I see a data mining monstrosity and further reason to avoid local retail.

[-] IllNess@infosec.pub 2 points 2 months ago

They are already data mining you without these robots.

They use facial recognition on cameras. They use OCR on your license plate and scan your toll pass. They use your phone location if you connect to their "free" wifi. They track your bluetooth devices that's constantly looking to connect. They track you foot traffic and see what stores, what aisle, what product you picked it up and how long you had it in your hands.

Google "Target loss prevention" stories of frequent shoplifters that had profiles on them for months and stop them when they can charge for grand larceny rather than petite larceny. There is a reason why Westfield malls are everywhere. It's easier for them to control their own data than to constantly buy or contract out data from other companies.

These bots are probably getting more data but they are more for security. A moving camera is more of criminal deterrent just because it is moving. These bots are so they don't have to pay for more security guards than anything else.

[-] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee -1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

And that makes this thing OK?

"More for security". How does boot taste?

These things track every Bluetooth device, every phone, every watch, every headset, etc, etc.

It's yet another increase in surveillance, and "it's not a big deal because that's already happening" is your response?

Oh, and I'd bet a year's salary these are leased, and the vendor owns all the collected data.

This is about data collection, not security.

[-] IllNess@infosec.pub 4 points 2 months ago

Me explaining how they track you does not mean I agree with it.

Your emotional state does not change reality.

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this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2024
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