Privacy

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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 9 months ago by Ninjazzon@infosec.pub to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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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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[–] Neato@ttrpg.network 16 points 9 months ago (2 children)

There's a lot of people in the world who do, in fact, like to eat.

[–] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 22 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

There are also a lot of people, already in the wealthiest upper percentiles, who would implement big brother just to be slightly wealthier.

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

"I was only following orders"

[–] jaybone@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Problem is, if you refuse to do it, they’ll hire another developer who will.