Co-op boss says new tech avoids data storage

CEO of Channel Island Co-op Mark Cox said the age estimation technology in stores should make buying age-restricted products easier

The head of the Channel Island Co-op has reassured shoppers its new age estimation technology does not store data from customers.

The technology has been installed in 10 Jersey stores as part of a pilot scheme.

Chief executive officer of CI Co-op, Mark Cox, said it should make buying age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco and vapes simpler for customers and staff.

He said it was also a "major step" to make sure people who are underage cannot successfully buy these products.

How does it work?

A spokesperson for the Co-op said the age estimation technology worked by asking a shopper to take a photo using a tablet device, often next to the till in-store.

The software, from digital identity company Yoti, would then estimate their age based on the photo.

The image would then be permanently deleted.

If the customer appeared over 20-years-old - the age threshold set for the Channel Island trial - they would be approved to buy age-restricted products.

If not, they would have to show an ID to a member of staff.

It has not currently been installed on self-checkout machines.

Mr Cox has confirmed as soon as the picture was processed "all of that data is then destroyed."

"We don't hold any of that data in the background at all," he said.

The pilot was launched in partnership with British American Tobacco (BAT), a multinational company that manufactures cigarettes, tobacco and other nicotine products.

The company uses Yoti software in more than 600 stores across Europe but the Channel Island trial is the first time it has introduced the technology in Britain.

Mr Cox said he had no concerns by partnering with a tobacco company.

He said: "We're a responsible retailer, they're a responsible manufacturer... what we both want to see is the reduction in this type of product falling into the wrong hands."