Boots record what you say in their stores

[One More Solo]

I’m pretty sure those signs have been up in Boots since day dot.

 

[wolfie138]

It's just another nail in the coffin of the high street. As if having to pay for parking and higher prices isn't enough now your private conversations are going to be spied upon.

yeah, best to stick to buying online. no one tracks your or your purchases or order history etc there, lol.

 

[Lopéz]

Companies can only use your "data" (be that recordings, images, statistics, whatever) for the purposes it was collected. They can't use it to randomly create marketing campaigns based on what you say whilst meandering through the aisles at Boots.

 

[Tuppy_Glossop]

Companies can only use your "data" (be that recordings, images, statistics, whatever) for the purposes it was collected. They can't use it to randomly create marketing campaigns based on what you say whilst meandering through the aisles at Boots.

I'd like to see the advert based on my in-store mutterings about price. It's all very Yorkshire.

 

[MikeTheNative]

A shop isn't a public space, it's a private property that they let the public onto/in. Don't like it then shop somewhere else.

 

[krooton]

Companies can only use your "data" (be that recordings, images, statistics, whatever) for the purposes it was collected. They can't use it to randomly create marketing campaigns based on what you say whilst meandering through the aisles at Boots.

I know right? People seem to think that all companies break marketing and data protection laws, whereas the large majority actually adhere to them very strictly (the fines are massive if you don't, plus, you know, I try to not get sacked when I can help it )

 

[Shocky-FM]

I have no problem with them recording me in store, you will always get customers that can be quite abusive and threatening to staff so I support it actually, definitely something most large retailers should have.

I mean unless you're a particularly vile person why would you be concerned about what they think of your inane conversations in store? I'm assuming there is some software listening for keywords, similar to how many devices operate these days, they wouldn't listen to everything, only what they need to review and what gets highlighted by the software, maybe not even that.

 

[TheVoice]

I'm assuming there is some software listening for keywords

There isn't.

 

[Shocky-FM]

There isn't.

In which case nobody will hear these recordings unless they need to review something.

Still, you would expect them make some use of the data, even if it's just statistical, guess it's too complicated for Boots.

 

[TheVoice]

In which case nobody will hear these recordings unless they need to review something.

Yep, and the same thing applies for almost any CCTV system anywhere. For the average person, nothing you say or do in front of a CCTV camera will ever be retained or analysed in any meaningful way.

 

[krooton]

In which case nobody will hear these recordings unless they need to review something.

Still, you would expect them make some use of the data, even if it's just statistical, guess it's too complicated for Boots.

If by 'complicated' you mean 'illegal', then you are correct

 

[Glanza]

No ones going to sit there allday trying to listen to every conversation, they'll only playback footage when required for shoplifting or if a customer kicks off and verbal / physically assaults staff.

 

[TacticalFish]

As long as they are completely open about it, I don't see the problem. You are given the choice.

This. Their store, they can do what they like. You're free to go elsewhere if you don't like it.

 

[vanpeebles]

The last time I was in a Boots store was when they still sold speccy games

 

[Lopéz]

In which case nobody will hear these recordings unless they need to review something.

Still, you would expect them make some use of the data, even if it's just statistical, guess it's too complicated for Boots.

They can't, they will get financially screwed if they do. Breaking the DPA is completely not worth it.

 

[Fusion]

The last time I was in a Boots store was when they still sold speccy games

I'd totally forgot that they used to sell games. I remember them having F-Zero setup on an in store SNES

Such an odd thing for a pharmacy to get involved in.

 

[vanpeebles]

In the Durham one, upstairs they had rows and rows of tape boxes. With a counter on one side, with all the tapes behind them, and a dedicated staff member. I remember buying the Konami Coin Op collection for the speccy, my saved up pocket money was glowing white hot.

 

[mattyfez]

I think the only thing I said in boots last time I was in there was 'hiya' to the cashier, as I passed them a packet of paracetamol, I may have also said cheers as I left.

What sort of conversations are people having in boots to get so upset about?

 

[ROSSInHD]

Video would be fine. But recording audio isn't right.

I would not be shocked that they could take the audio, plug it on a computer, get a script to scan it for a list of words and record it all for some sort of marketing system and then sell it on.

How would that effect you though unless your conversation includes your full name, address and email address.

 

[mattyfez]

I'd be supprised if they had the data retention capacity or the will to analyse all the fluff, other than to keep a standard 30 day recording for evidence in the event of a robbery or staff abuse etc.