Pensioner ‘wrongly labelled as thief’ after face scan | UK | News
A pensioner who was kicked out of a store after facial recognition technology mistakenly identified him as a shoplifter said he felt “helpless” and “physically ill” after the ordeal. Ian Clayton, 67, a grandfather from Chester, was told to leave his local Home Bargains after Facewatch security technology mistakenly linked him to a previous theft. Mr Clayton said he was then told to leave the store by staff in front of a group of other customers, an incident that left him feeling “helpless”.
“I thought I was going to be sick. “The feeling didn’t go away all day, and it didn’t go away the next day.” Facial recognition technology is used by many major retailers in the UK, including Sports Direct, Asda and Sainsbury’s, as well as Home Bargains.
The 67-year-old told the BBC: “I have a perfectly clean record and always have. I’m very proud of that.”
“I am not a shoplifter and I truly resent being targeted as a shoplifter and having my face exposed to a system I cannot dismantle.”
After being escorted out of the store, she contacted Facewatch and was sent a photo along with allegations that she had placed several items in a bag and stolen them.
A spokesman for the company said Mr Clayton should not be on the system and confirmed his image and the “associated record” had been permanently removed.
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They added that Home Bargains “has completed a full investigation of the incident” and takes accuracy complaints extremely seriously, taking immediate action when something does not meet required standards.
A spokesperson for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said: “No one should be misidentified or blamed for errors in facial recognition systems.
“We will continue to work closely with the Information Commissioner’s office to ensure regulations remain effective.”
The Express has contacted Home Bargains for comment.
