Woolworths overhead AI cameras frustrating shoppers

Woolworths has clapped back after a “loyal” customer posted about her experience with the brand’s controversial checkout cameras.

Woolworths’ controversial overhead AI checkout cameras are in the spotlight again, after a woman took to X, formerly Twitter, to complain.

The 52-year-old posted about her encounter on the social media platform, claiming she had been shopping at Woolworths since she was 18 and in that time has never stolen – and would never – anything from the supermarket.

But that didn’t stop her bag being searched on a recent visit, something she was extremely offended by.

“Today was the second time I had a self checkout person stop what I was doing and check vision of me doing my shopping. Completely unacceptable,” the woman said.

Woolworths introduced the overhead AI cameras in 250 stores along Australia’s east coast following a successful trial last year.

A spokesperson said they were designed to reduce miss-scans, and making shopping “more convenient and seamless”.

Woolworths initially brought in the cameras in February 2022, but has recently expanded. Picture: Supplied

In a series of social media posts viewed more than 100,000 times, the woman specified the issue at the checkout was her having items from another store in her trolley.

She acknowledged that self-serve check outs save both the store and customer time, but she objected to the way they make customers feel like criminals when they were not.

It’s not the first time the new camera technology has provoked criticism.

Many customers have taken to social media to air their frustration. Picture: Supplied

One issue customers were worried about was privacy, but Woolworths has insisted faces and pin pads are blurred out, and all footage captured from these cameras was used only for training purposes.

A Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au: “All retailers are experiencing an increase in retail crime, and we’re no exception.

“We have a number of initiatives that we use, both covert and overt, to help reduce retail crime and keep our team members safe in our stores.

“One of them is the use of cameras at the checkout to help reduce misscans, which we’ve used since early 2022.

“The accuracy of the system will improve as it continues to adjust to our store network.”