Privacy

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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

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 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

151 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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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[–] [email protected] 48 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Students believe there is a camera inside this hole on the vending machine

Students and their silly beliefs. Don't worry about that lens shining in the hole. It's just a useless hole!

[–] [email protected] 18 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Strategic use of a cordless drill can ensure it's a useless hole.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago (2 children)

that's vandalism and can get you in trouble.

A simple sticker though, which can be easily removed, doesn't count as vandalism, and can be done over and over again for almost no cost.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Man, I sure got a lot of stickers, too...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

That or a more elaborate sticker/photo taped far enough away so the camera may focus on it. Maybe an image of Alfred E. Neuman? Or some kind of FU meme?