Kia's World

From BBC:

"The supermarket chain Budgens has installed face recognition cameras in one of its stores to stop children buying alcohol and cigarettes. It is thought to be the first time a UK retailer has used the technology to identify underage customers. The scheme is being piloted at an unnamed branch of Budgens in London. If the system recognises someone who has previously been unable to prove they are 18, a signal alerts the cashier who will refuse to serve them."

Were this not bad enough the really interesting part in the article comes later:

"Charlie Willetts, managing director of Charton Ltd, which is supplying the software, said about 1,500 images were currently stored on computer, but it had the capacity for almost two million.  He said other supermarkets and convenience stores were interested in linking the scheme to their own shops to create a giant database of customers. But Mr Willetts said the system had to overcome a number of technical issues first and ensure that it was compliant with data protection laws."

Now, I am sure the words 'giant database of customers' will leap out to us all, but what is really interesting is the admission that it may not be 'compliant with data protection laws' - if they are not rolling it out due to this then why the hell is it installed anywhere? It should be PROVEN to be complient with the law BEFORE it is used ANYWHERE. If I were to build a super power jet car and drive it up and down my street I think the DVLA would want me to PROVE it was safe & compliant with the law FIRST - I don't think "I'm only trying it on one road officer" would be much of a defence.