Campaigners urge London food banks to end use of face scans

Food being sorted at a food bank. Hackney Foodbank has been asked not to use the Face Donate app-based system. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

Privacy advocates are urging food banks to stop using facial recognition software, claiming it poses a serious risk to users’ “privacy, dignity and security”.

Several food banks in London are asking users to submit face scans to allow them to choose food from shops. The Face Donate app-based system also has the potential to track purchases.