Coles shopper's 'ridiculous' act of defiance against self-checkout service sparks debate online
- Replies 58
In the age of digital surveillance, a Coles shopper has taken a stand against what he perceives as an invasion of his privacy.
His unusual method of protest?
Covering the self-checkout camera with a spare receipt. This act has sparked a heated debate among his fellow shoppers.
The shopper, who said he prefers to pay at a manned counter, has grown increasingly frustrated with the idea of big corporations ‘running facial recognition software’ and ‘recording’ customers as they pay.
'I've started doing this when self-serve checkout is only available,' he wrote in a now-deleted post.
'Folding a receipt and placing it over the camera to give a little bit of privacy back.'
He also mentioned carrying Blu Tack in his bag, allowing him to readily stick a receipt over any camera facing him.
While thousands of Australians have mocked his behaviour, calling it 'ridiculous' and 'pathetic', not everyone thinks it's a bad idea.
The advent of high-tech surveillance in Australian supermarkets has been a contentious issue.
Retail giants Woolworths and Coles have invested millions in more cameras, leading to a 'Big Brother' shopping experience that has left some customers feeling uneasy.
Many social media platforms are rife with videos of people expressing their discomfort with these new measures.
Consumer Behaviour Expert Professor Nitika Garg from the University of NSW highlighted that there isn't a 'dangerous motivation' in the increased surveillance.
However, she acknowledged that it is generating substantial unease among customers.
'It is only a recent phenomenon where you can see your own image as you're scanning items,' she said.
'I know what their motivation is, but even then, it makes you be a bit more self-conscious, saying, “Look, I'm scanning the right variety of tomato here. Not scanning the cheaper version.”'
'We knew they always had cameras in store, but I think this is a new and very blatant signal to the consumer: “Look, we are watching, and please do the right thing.”'
The companies argued that the introduction of more cameras is a measure to prevent stock loss, theft, and abuse.
But for many Aussies, the cameras are a source of discomfort and annoyance.
'I actually really hate that they use cameras with facial recognition to see what I buy and sell the data to companies,' one shopper said.
'My partner and I were at Coles the other day and bought an avocado. The checkout assumed we scanned the wrong item and played the recording of us on the screen…We did scan correctly, but apparently, it doesn't know what an avocado looks like,' another shared.
While some shoppers have found humour in the situation, others have offered practical advice for those concerned about being recorded.
'Shop at IGA or small local grocers if you're so worried about being recorded at Coles and Woolworths,' a man suggested.
'Don't use self-checkouts. Just request a worker scan your items,' another advised.
Other commenters shared humourous thoughts about the cameras.
'I need to [stick a receipt over the camera] to prevent a downward depression spiral after having to look at the worst possible version of my face,' one joked.
'I like looking at myself,' another said.
Meanwhile, another similar incident happened as a Coles customer also tried to take his privacy back by placing a sticker at the self-checkout camera. You can read more about this story here.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you ever felt uncomfortable while shopping for groceries due to these types of technology? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
His unusual method of protest?
Covering the self-checkout camera with a spare receipt. This act has sparked a heated debate among his fellow shoppers.
The shopper, who said he prefers to pay at a manned counter, has grown increasingly frustrated with the idea of big corporations ‘running facial recognition software’ and ‘recording’ customers as they pay.
'I've started doing this when self-serve checkout is only available,' he wrote in a now-deleted post.
'Folding a receipt and placing it over the camera to give a little bit of privacy back.'
A Coles customer has placed a sticker on the self-checkout camera to avoid a ‘Big Brother’ shopping experience. Image: Facebook
He also mentioned carrying Blu Tack in his bag, allowing him to readily stick a receipt over any camera facing him.
While thousands of Australians have mocked his behaviour, calling it 'ridiculous' and 'pathetic', not everyone thinks it's a bad idea.
The advent of high-tech surveillance in Australian supermarkets has been a contentious issue.
Retail giants Woolworths and Coles have invested millions in more cameras, leading to a 'Big Brother' shopping experience that has left some customers feeling uneasy.
Many social media platforms are rife with videos of people expressing their discomfort with these new measures.
Consumer Behaviour Expert Professor Nitika Garg from the University of NSW highlighted that there isn't a 'dangerous motivation' in the increased surveillance.
However, she acknowledged that it is generating substantial unease among customers.
'It is only a recent phenomenon where you can see your own image as you're scanning items,' she said.
'I know what their motivation is, but even then, it makes you be a bit more self-conscious, saying, “Look, I'm scanning the right variety of tomato here. Not scanning the cheaper version.”'
'We knew they always had cameras in store, but I think this is a new and very blatant signal to the consumer: “Look, we are watching, and please do the right thing.”'
The companies argued that the introduction of more cameras is a measure to prevent stock loss, theft, and abuse.
But for many Aussies, the cameras are a source of discomfort and annoyance.
'I actually really hate that they use cameras with facial recognition to see what I buy and sell the data to companies,' one shopper said.
'My partner and I were at Coles the other day and bought an avocado. The checkout assumed we scanned the wrong item and played the recording of us on the screen…We did scan correctly, but apparently, it doesn't know what an avocado looks like,' another shared.
While some shoppers have found humour in the situation, others have offered practical advice for those concerned about being recorded.
'Shop at IGA or small local grocers if you're so worried about being recorded at Coles and Woolworths,' a man suggested.
'Don't use self-checkouts. Just request a worker scan your items,' another advised.
Other commenters shared humourous thoughts about the cameras.
'I need to [stick a receipt over the camera] to prevent a downward depression spiral after having to look at the worst possible version of my face,' one joked.
'I like looking at myself,' another said.
Meanwhile, another similar incident happened as a Coles customer also tried to take his privacy back by placing a sticker at the self-checkout camera. You can read more about this story here.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you ever felt uncomfortable while shopping for groceries due to these types of technology? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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