Even though the recent spread of staffless convenience stores in Beijing serves as a symbol of the city’s growing technological and social prowess, one such store has been discovered to have a fatal flaw in its cutting-edge facial recognition system.
The unfortunately named “EatBox” opened its first staffless store in Beijing last month in the northwestern-located Golden Resources Shopping Mall, allowing customers to pay for purchases on their own through China’s growing online payment systems. However, a reporter with Beijing News discovered that the store’s facial recognition system can be easily fooled, allowing anyone to easily steal from the store.
The normal way of entering the EatBox requires customers to upload a photograph of themselves into the store’s computer system, which then takes a photo at the scene to confirm, like this:
However, the Beijing News reporter was able to trick the store’s facial recognition system by uploading a crude drawing of a face which she then used to cover her own:
And, it worked. EatBox authenticated the fake face and unwittingly let the reporter into the store. Normally, trespassers would pose a problem if it weren’t for special anti-theft measures that prevent customers from leaving if a store camera strategically positioned over the exit detects an item that hasn’t been paid for.
READ: First Staffless Convenience Store Opens in Beijing
But, our scrappy Beijing News reporter proved to be resourceful. Before leaving, the reporter ripped the tag off of an unpaid item and stashed it out of plain sight. With nothing for the anti-theft measures to detect, the store allowed the square-jawed individual to leave without paying.
The report specifically mentions that the Beijing News reporter went back to the store to pay for the item. We’d like to take this moment to emphatically tell our readers that shoplifting is illegal and immoral, and to never attempt something like this.
Other customers said they found the EatBox facial recognition system to be “buggy.” One woman said she was allowed into the store by using a photo that only showed her profile.
When asked about the possibility of theft by unscrupulous customers, an EatBox representative philosophically answered: “It’s unavoidable, you can’t underestimate human nature. If you want to steal something, you will do it. This is a part of humanity we have to consider.”
EatBox plans to open 10 to 15 other similar unsubtly named staffless stores in Beijing this year; the next one is set to open in Dongzhimen this September.
Even as the feasibility of staffless stores comes under scrutiny, other answers are already clear as day. At last, customers finally have a chance to get the best customer service they’ve ever received in Beijing – as provided by themselves.
More stories from this author here.
Twitter: @Sinopath
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Images: Miaopai