A set of smart vending machines at the University of Waterloo is expected to be removed from campus after students raised privacy concerns about their software.

The machines have M&M artwork on them and sell chocolate and other candy. They are located throughout campus, including in the Modern Languages building and Hagey Hall.

Earlier this month, a student noticed an error message on one of the machines in the Modern Languages building. It appeared to indicate there was a problem with a facial recognition application.

“We wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for the application error. There’s no warning here,” said River Stanley, a fourth-year student, who investigated the machines for an article in the university publication, mathNEWS.

  • @Guntrigger@feddit.ch
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    474 months ago

    Students believe there is a camera inside this hole on the vending machine

    Students and their silly beliefs. Don’t worry about that lens shining in the hole. It’s just a useless hole!

      • @Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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        154 months ago

        that’s vandalism and can get you in trouble.

        A simple sticker though, which can be easily removed, doesn’t count as vandalism, and can be done over and over again for almost no cost.

        • lettruthout
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          24 months ago

          That or a more elaborate sticker/photo taped far enough away so the camera may focus on it. Maybe an image of Alfred E. Neuman? Or some kind of FU meme?