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.

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.

  • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
    11·
    4 months ago

    I’m all down for using public transportation and electric cars when you pay to fix the infrastructure, have it run 24/7, or buy me an overpriced electric car that doesn’t destroy the earth as well with lithium mining and all the non-renewable resources used to manufacture it. Certainly better than gas.

    Although I’d argue the car manufacturer is the one you should be angry with, not the buyer who is limited by availability, a limited public transit system, and price.

    • Exocrinous@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      Ah, so there we go. You have a perfect set of excuses for your own actions and why they’re someone else’s fault, but you struggle to understand how someone could develop software like this. The answer is: the same way as you. Excuses.

        • Exocrinous@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          4 months ago

          No.

          Aren’t you taking this all a bit personally? I’m just using your own experiences to explain a situation you find difficult to understand. The douchebags are the same as you. Hope that helps.

            • Exocrinous@lemm.eeEnglish
              2·
              4 months ago

              Yeah, you’re taking this way too personally. I’m out here explaining how people can justify doing bad things to themselves, and you’re having a whole identity crisis over whether you’re a bad person about it. Look, your personal difficulties excusing your own actions are none of my business.

              • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
                11·
                4 months ago

                I’m not taking this personally at all. I think you’re reading my responses with the wrong tone.

                • Exocrinous@lemm.eeEnglish
                  21·
                  4 months ago

                  If you’re not taking this personally, why all the personal questions about my transit habits and finances? It seems like you’re trying to use me as some kind of gotcha for why you don’t have to introspect. Leave me out of it.

                  • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
                    11·
                    4 months ago

                    That’s how people have conversations? You seem really angry. Maybe go for a walk ;)

                    Have a good night.