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Canadian business owners are about to rollout Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) in several stores, as they establish ties with suppliers of the said technology in Beijing. And despite the lawsuits and negative feedback circulating FRT in China, Canadian businesses are welcoming the possibilities and improvements this innovation may bring to the Canadian retail industry. The facial recognition system is widely used in different industries for three years already. It has been tested in digital platforms such as video gaming, betting and casino platforms. Official data proved that facial scan systems work well in digital systems, so different business industries (including retail) decided to use this technology. Along with the EU and North America, African countries like Nigeria are ready to accept facial scan technologies. Canada is one of the leading counties in facial scan systems in digital space. Most of the EU and African countries can replicate their success story.
Facial recognition technologies in digital platforms
Unlike China, Canada was the first to implement facial scan technologies on digital platforms. Justin Trudeau’s government gave a chance to local gaming operators to test smart technologies. Online casino websites in Canada established for more than a decade. That industry is best to test technological advancements. Online casinos in Canada are widely known for using diverse types of technologies. Facial recognition systems have been implemented in 2018. Since then, the number of stolen account credentials and funds has been decreased. After the implementation, Canadian casinos online became one of the most secure in the world. Installing facial recognition systems have been one of the best decisions made by the local government. New technologies have attracted the attention of international gamers and gave authority to local online casinos on a worldwide market. Success in the digital casino sector made it clear offline business entities would implement system also.
Understanding Facial Recognition Technology
FRT captures the standard features of a person’s face, creates a template, and cross-matches it to a series of preexisting photographs of other faces in the system. These photos within a system come from several sources, such as government records, private information databases, criminal records, mugshots, and social media accounts.
FRT uses a software application to analyze facial images to identify and verify the identity of the person in the captured photo.
This kind of technology has the potential to be used in crime investigations and surveillance measures. It is also used in tracking criminals and fugitives, spotting persons-of-interests, and terrorists in the entry and exit points of a country. It also can detect problem gamblers, identify users of travel and matchmaking websites, check attendance in workplaces and schools, and monitor juvenile delinquents.
Chinese Facial Recognition Systems to be Implemented in Canada
Foodymart, a popular Chinese supermarket chain in Canada, is set to purchase and utilize facial recognition technology in all its stores. Its owner, Wei Chengyi, has confirmed plans on implementing the technology as a new method of payment in its establishments.
The company is buying the hi-tech system from a Toronto-based firm called Snap Pay. This tech firm is known for its distribution of Chinese payment technologies and gear from global tech powerhouses like Alibaba and Tencent. Snap Pay announced the delivery of Foody Mart’s system this year.
When asked about possible concerns regarding the technology, Wei said that using FRT is a measure that will allow his company to adapt to the changing digital economy. He added that the entry of such software into the country should not be a cause for concern.
Facial Recognition Versus Privacy
This technological innovation offers an additional and more convenient way of making payments. Also, its biometric feature will change the way business is done, drive fintech services, and open up other facial recognition and biometrics applications outside the retail industry.
However, some people are raising concerns over the use of the tool as a means to impede privacy, shame erring individuals, and persecute cultural minorities. Human rights practitioners are expressing their fears that this known digital surveillance tool can affect Canada’s well-protected privacy.
Spencer Xu, Snap Pay Founder, contradicted these concerns stating that the only focus of their company is to provide a quick and convenient checkout process, especially for businesses with smaller stores and self-service kiosks. Snap Pay provides services bound to make the retail experience more appealing.
