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Weird app paying you to scan receipts (lemmy.ml)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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[–] 7 points 10 months ago (5 children)

Many stores have installed Bluetooth beacon tracking that will monitor all customers cell phones (or other Bluetooth devices) precise location throughout the store.

The items on the receipt can work as a "checksum" for a specific pattern around that time of day.

Self checkouts also have cameras that can identify biometrics, repeat shoppers, and other data points for a profile. But it's not known is the customer used one of those kiosks.

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  • [–] -2 points 10 months ago (4 children)

    Ehh?? How would that app know about the data the store potentially collects?

    Many stores have installed Bluetooth beacon tracking that will monitor all customers cell phones

    What? No one is doing that. Why would they? What if you have bluetooth disabled all the time like me because you don’t have any Bluetooth accessories, or to save power, or because Bluetooth is insecure.

    Self checkouts also have cameras that can identify biometrics

    ??? The camera is just to check on the customers if they are scanning everything properly and not stealing. A human is reviewing the footage. A human is going to confront you if they detect you not scanning something.

    They have absolutely no reason to store the video footage or even sell that to anyone. Besides, no one would buy that. Not even the app from OP‘s post.

    You should put down your tinfoil hat.

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  • [–] 6 points 10 months ago* (2 children)

    Ehh?? How would that app know about the data the store potentially collects?

    The app database and store database are separate, both containing duplicate data on the receipt or any affiliate data sharing that can facilitate de-anomyzation.

    What? No one is doing that. Why would they? What if you have bluetooth disabled all the time like me because you don’t have any Bluetooth accessories, or to save power, or because Bluetooth is insecure.

    A lot of retail -even my doctor office - do use this and have for a while.

    BLE customer monitoring is certainly a thing. Here is an article from 2014: https://www.retail-innovation.com/carrefour-track-customer-journey-around-store-using-ble/

    Here is a more modern ad-riddled writeup. https://www.encstore.com/blog/5162-a-step-by-step-guide-to-using-ble-beacons-in-retail

    There is even a data broker claiming it records and updates your advertising profile before you get to the register. I wish I bookmarked that page when I read it years ago.

    Disabling Bluetooth, I suspect, would stop tracking. Note some modern phones still respond to Bluetooth and tracking when powered off, such as the Pixel, unless Bluetooth is disabled before shutdown.

    ??? The camera is just to check on the customers if they are scanning everything properly and not stealing. A human is reviewing the footage.

    Basic cameras can do that, but companies like Walmart and Home Depot have more advanced systems. Walmart profiles customers and can identify and alert staff/police to repeat problem customers. Home Depot has a class action case claiming it uses face detection technology. Heck, my cheap-ola off-the-shelf home security camera can track people and license plates straight out of the box. The Flock cameras tracking people and vehicles all over the cities use an OS released in 2017. This tech is prevalent now.

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