Walmart's New Patent Raises Privacy Concerns For Employees and Shoppers
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Walmart a patent on a surveillance engineering called 'Listening to the Frontend' that could let it to record sounds within its stores. The patent is basically for some sound sensors that the company is said to be planning on installing at checkout counters in its stores, and is raising serious concerns about the privacy of shoppers and workers. The patent was originally filed-for terminal twelvemonth, and granted last Tuesday, co-ordinate to CBS.
Co-ordinate to the patent filing, the sensors will be "distributed throughout at least a portion of a shopping facility", potentially recording the voices of both workers and customers, which could then potentially be used to decide "if employees are performing their jobs efficiently and correctly". The technology may too apparently assist in cost savings and 'guest satisfaction' going forward.
Walmart looked to allay the fears past saying that it may not even apply the patent to really start a surveillance program on its employees and customers. According to the company, if it ever chooses to use the programme, it will do so to"gather metrics and meliorate the checkout process by listening to sounds produced by the bags, carts and cash registers and not intended for any other use".
The visitor farther said that just getting a patent doesn't necessarily mean that the technology will actually be implemented. "Nosotros file patents often only that doesn't mean the patents will actually be implemented. We're ever thinking virtually new concepts and ways that will assistance us further heighten how nosotros serve customers", said the company.
Source: https://beebom.com/walmart-patent-raises-privacy-concerns-employees-shoppers/
Posted by: hayeswhismucrept.blogspot.com
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