In a world where social media platforms like Facebook and Foursquare are all around you, it's easy to imagine the benefits on the business side of things. Unfortunately for us, that means privacy is a bit scarce these days, and it looks like it may get a bit scarcer. Dubbed Facedeals, this camera uses public photos uploaded onto Facebook and facial recognition software to identify patrons as they walk through the door.
Shoppers can then automatically be checked-in on Facebook and offered exclusive deals for participating in the program. Created by Nashville-based advertising firm Redpepper, Facedeals is not affiliated with Facebook. According to the firm, "Facebook check-ins are a powerful mechanism for businesses to deliver discounts to loyal customers, yet few businesses—and fewer customers—have realized it."
Hoping to capitalize on the situation, Redpepper hopes to sweeten the check-in deals by streamlining and automating the process. Of course, most customers won't be too happy about having their faces inspected by a camera everywhere they go, so the program only works if users authorize the Facedeals application on their Facebook account.
For anybody who already actively checks in to business on Facebook, Facedeals could be quite a treat. On the other hand, we have a feeling these cameras may end up driving away some customers too. Either way, Facedeals is still being tested throughout small business so we'll just have to see whether or not these cameras really take off. Would you have any issues visiting a business with a Facedeals camera?
