Privacy rights group Big Brother Watch made the accusation against the firm, which operates a network of convenience food stores, funeral homes, burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise across the south of England.
It has filed a legal complaint with the Information Commissioner which claims that the use of the biometric cameras “is infringing the data rights of a significant number of UK data subjects”.
The legal complaint outlines how the system, sold by London-based surveillance firm Facewatch, “uses novel technology and highly invasive processing of personal data, creating a biometric profile of every visitor to stores where its cameras are installed.”
The supermarket chain has installed the controversial surveillance technology in 35 stores across Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Bristol, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Southampton and London.
The supermarket’s staff can add individuals to the facial recognition “blacklist”, making them a “subject...