University removes vending machines amidst facial recognition technology controversy.

A university in Canada has decided to remove smart vending machines from its campus following revelations that they incorporated facial recognition technology. The discovery was made by a student who shared a photo on Reddit, showing an M&M-brand vending machine displaying an error code related to facial recognition technology.

Student Investigation: River Stanley, a student at the University of Waterloo, investigated the smart vending machines provided by Adaria Vending Services and manufactured by Invenda Group. The error code displayed on the machine hinted at facial recognition technology. Adaria Vending Services, in response to the investigation, claimed that the technology only acts as a motion sensor to detect faces for activating the purchasing interface, emphasizing that no images or data are taken or stored.

GDPR Compliance: Adaria Vending Services and Invenda Group asserted that the vending machines are fully compliant with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The technology, according to statements, does not store images or personally identifiable information and conducts local processing of digital image maps without transmitting data to the cloud.

University's Response: The University of Waterloo has decided to remove the machines from campus and disable the facial recognition software. The university stated that Adaria manages last-mile fulfillment services, handling restocking and logistics for the snack vending machines, while not collecting any data about users or having access to identify them.

Global Context: Facial recognition technology on college campuses has been a source of tension globally, with instances of monitoring students in classrooms and AI-based test-proctoring systems accusing students of cheating. In March 2020, students at several US universities protested against facial recognition on campuses, emphasizing concerns about privacy and its impact on vulnerable individuals.

Conclusion: The removal of smart vending machines at the University of Waterloo highlights the ongoing debate around facial recognition technology on college campuses. The incident underscores the importance of addressing privacy concerns and ensuring transparency in the deployment of such technologies to maintain a safe and secure educational environment.