Concerns about high confidentiality as Winnipeg Drug Store Don Don Houses worn by the body to increase security

Some staff members from A Shoppers Drug Mart in a Winnipeg Strip mall are now wearing rooms worn by a new pilot project aimed at improving safety and security-but an expert emphasizes that it could violate customer confidentiality.

The cashiers from the buyers in the Dominion Center, at the corner of Marion street and at St. Mary’s Road, were seen on Friday wearing devices on the size of a smartphone.

Loblaw companies Ltd., the home company of Shoppers Drug Mart, told CBC News, participating in the pilot project is voluntary, in the hope that it can create a safer experience for customers and personal.

A Winnipeg police spokesman told the CBC officers that they were called at Shoppers Drug Mart at the Dominion Center 12 times until this year.

The police said the officers received 70 calls for the Dominion Center buyers service, the same number they received in 2022, but many more than the 24 calls they received in 2023.

Most calls involved retail thefts, while one hand was for robberies, material damage and fraud, the police said.

A man with white hair in a blue sweater looks at the room. — John Linossier, a buyer owner at the Dominion Center, says that although he is not convinced that the body rooms will be a discussion for shopping, could help the staff get records of those who steal from the store, useful for judicial procedures. (Travis Golby/CBC)

John Linossier, an ordinary owner at the Dominion Center store, said theft is a normal event that he was attended by the store.

“Even this week, I was there and someone was trying to steal a pack of 30 batteries, which is worth about $ 30,” he said. “He has to do something because I lose money like crazy.”

Although he is not convinced that the rooms worn by the body will be an element of discouragement for shopping, he said they could help the staff obtain records of those who steal from the store-who said they could be used in a police investigation or for judicial issues.

“It’s just a big problem, that’s all. The problem of our times,” he said.

Clock | Shoppers Drug Mart the staff wearing body rooms in the new pilot project to discourage crime:

Shoppers Drug Mart the staff wearing body rooms in the new pilot project to discourage crime

You could be on the room next time when you go to Shoppers Drug Mart on Marion Street. Body rooms are now worn by staff. Last month Shoppers Drug Mart introduced the Body Camera pilot project to address the theft and safety issues.

Pauline Gerrard, another buyer owner from the Dominion Center, says she has witnessed how the security at the store was erected in the last year. But the idea of being registered by the new rooms worn by the body is still not good with it yet.

“There is a balance … I feel for business from the point of view, I have certainly seen challenges,” she said. “As for privacy, I’m not sure I’m crazy to be registered … (but) I don’t know what a better solution is.”

Concerns about customer confidentiality

Ann Cavoukian, the former Privacy Commissioner in Ontario, said that the shops that carry out these types of measures should at least display clear notifications about what is registered and have the materials deleted at the end of the day if nothing happens at the store that would justify the need to keep it.

“People’s facial images are very sensitive. They can be used and abused in a variety of manners. What do I do with this information?” Cavoukian said.

Loblaws said that if the materials are not necessary for investigation, they are deleted as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be stored in a secure cloud-based system.

But Cavoukian said that it is not yet clear how the company will evaluate whether or not the registered material will.

“Does anyone follow at the end of the day? Someone takes note and ensure that … the data is deleted immediately at the end of the day?” she said. “I suppose they will not go to such lengths to get rid of information.”

While Cavoukian understands Stores concerns about the stealing theft, the measure can violate customer confidentiality.

“A whole range of activities that you don’t want to be captured with the camera that is nobody’s business. Enter to buy something at a shoppers or pick up a recipe,” she said.

“Confidentiality is essential for our society. (IT) is the foundation of our freedom. Freedom is everything,” she said.

In addition to the retail shop at the Dominion Center, a Mart Shoppers Drug on Osborne Street and another location on Marion Street have adopted the pilot project, Loblaws said.

Superstore on Regent Avenue and McPhillips Street are also accompanied by body rooms for some of their employees.