Who doesn't like to save a little cash every now and then? Can't think of anyone? That's because everyone loves a great deal. And, if you don't mind your face being scanned you can get personalized deals sent directly to your phone when you enter your favorite establishment.
Facedeals is a relatively new Facebook app that marries your "likes" and check-ins with face recognition software to offer personalized deals for its users. The app actually "learns" your face from photos you have uploaded to Facebook and are tagged in. In order for the app to work, the business must have a Facedeals camera installed right outside the door. As you enter the software quickly scans your face, checks you into Facebook and determines what type of discount to offer based on your "likes". Sounds simple enough.
If you own a business this may be a way to draw more traffic into your company. You may possibly increase your sales and the customer saves a little money. Everyone wins. But as the customer, you may have concerns about your privacy and how your information is being used.
Personally, I think this is both creepy and kind of awesome at the same time. Think about it...let's say you go to your favorite after work hangout and they have a Facedeals camera right outside the door. You walk in and moments later you get a text offering you two for one appetizers. Awesome! But, what about privacy? The thought of my personal habits being recorded, analyzed and regurgitated creeps me out.
Personally, I think this is both creepy and kind of awesome at the same time. Think about it...let's say you go to your favorite after work hangout and they have a Facedeals camera right outside the door. You walk in and moments later you get a text offering you two for one appetizers. Awesome! But, what about privacy? The thought of my personal habits being recorded, analyzed and regurgitated creeps me out.
So what do you think? Would you be willing to have your face scanned if it could possibly save you a little cash?
Sources:
Brading, Anna. "New Facebook app Facedeals scans your face to offer you deals." Naked Security from Sophos. Sophos Ltd. 14 Aug. 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2013. <http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/08/14/new-facebook-app-facedeals-scans-your-face-to-offer-you-deals/>
"Facedeals - Check-In with Your Face." Redpepper. YouTube. 2012. Web. 7 Sept. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLOxUVvcjwE>
I work at Lowe's Corporate and we have an entire Social Networking department. They actually did a presentation in one of our meetings and posted something on the FB account while they were presenting. It was crazy to see how many likes/comments they received in such a short period of time!
ReplyDeleteI think it is so crazy how advanced this technology is. It makes me wonder what other technologies there are that I assumed to be unknown or too complicated to produce.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in the sense that it is weird but cool at the same time. I feel like now we are connected to so many things that this facedeals app is just another thing that will allow people to know what we are up to. Think of "Foursqaure" and also every time you check in on Facebook. I feel like the ones who benefit the most in this situation are the businesses because it’s basically free advertising. If you check in or post "Whoa I got this awesome coupon at XYZ", that's just promoting the business; you aren't necessarily gaining as much as the business would. So is it really helping me? Yeah by saving me let’s say 20%, but like I said I believe it helps the business more than it's actually helping me.
ReplyDelete