Facial Recognition Could Be Coming to a Starbucks Near You

Facial recognition has been a major source of controversy across the globe over the past decade, with human rights campaigners highlighting privacy concerns, but the world’s biggest coffee chain may see it as a worthwhile investment.

In its latest earnings call, Starbucks implied it could be exploring the deployment of facial recognition technology.

Many consumers have already expressed their opposition on platforms like X and Bluesky, with one user dubbing the potential rollout of facial recognition an example of “intrusive and weird business practices.”

However, Starbucks never explicitly named the tech in its earnings call.

Taco Bell owner Yum Brands told investors in an April call that it is testing the use of AI to present customers at its drive-thrus with different menus.