Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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'Facial recognition' error message on vending machine sparks concern at University of Waterloo (kitchener.ctvnews.ca)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

148 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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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[–] [email protected] 25 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Fast food franchises always charge more in poor areas, I wonder if dynamic pricing would charge poor people more as well.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Got a source on this? I'd love to read more about that

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

@oxideseven Not offhand as it's more something I know from experience but here are some news reports on it from my part of the world:

Poorer pay more

McDonald's make meals different prices in different areas

And here's a study from the US that found they charge Black neighbourhoods more.

Edit: looks like chain stores do it with fresh fruit and vegetables too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Thanks! This is some wild stuff.