“Hidden Sensors Will Discreetly Record The Age And Gender Of The People Entering And Leaving”

Some Bay Area bars are using face-detecting sensors to collect and broadcast info about their patrons. From the San Francisco Chronicle tech blog:

“Bar patrons will be getting their cocktails with a garnish of facial detection technology at some San Francisco venues this weekend.

SceneTap, social app that relies on software to capture the demographics and popularity of a spot, will launch in 25 bars  and restaurants in San Francisco on Friday, company officials said.

Hidden sensors will discreetly record the age and gender of the people entering and leaving and broadcast that information out to SceneTap users so that they can make an informed decision about going to that venue based on how crowded it is, the male-to-female ratio or the age range, said CEO Cole Harper.

Critics say the app is intrusive and ‘creepy,’ but Harper argued that it’s just a way for venues to better focus their advertising efforts.”