Customers raise questions about facial recognition at Burlington Coat Factory
Some shoppers there tell News 12 they’ve recently noticed they’re being watched, possibly by facial recognition cameras.
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All eyes may be on you inside the Burlington Coat Factory location at Gateway Center,
Some shoppers there tell News 12 they’ve recently noticed they’re being watched, possibly by facial recognition cameras.
"If you're not going in there to steal,” said one customer. “It's not a problem."
When a News 12 reporter visited the location, cameras were rolling from the entryway. Once customers got up the escalator, they were met by a loss prevention worker — who appeared to allow the cameras to capture them, before letting them in to shop.
A worker there said that the cameras are able to recognize people who may have stolen from the store before. However, a spokesperson for Burlington Coat Factory said they do not use facial recognition technology in any of their stores.
"I feel by them monitoring people in and out, people have an extra sense of security while they're shopping,” said another customer. “It might deter people from doing something wrong."
Other people News 12 spoke to off camera and even online, question where the surveillance ends up.
“Depends on how you look at it,” said a customer. “But, I think it's a good thing."
Retail theft in this area is up 7.8% compared to this time last year.
