Asda ditches plans for driver-facing cameras in delivery vans

Asda has scrapped its plan to install driver-facing cameras in its home delivery vans following privacy concerns.

The supermarket chain said it put the proposal on hold as it concentrated efforts to revive its grocery business, The Times reported.

Asda had planned to introduce cameras that used artificial intelligence to identify subtle movements from drivers and provide audio prompts if there was a safety concern.

GMB union argued the supermarket’s planned use of the technology was a “severe breach of privacy and unnecessary intrusion on a driver while at work, ultimately leading to drivers leaving the business”.

GMB said it was “really pleased that Asda has listened to our feedback and have indefinitely halted the driver distraction system trial. This is a huge win for GMB drivers.”

Asda is thought to have dropped its plans before and independently of the union’s input but said that it would take the feedback on board.

An Asda spokesman told the publication: “This proposal did not reach the operational stage and has been paused while we focus on other projects.

“Colleague safety remains of paramount importance and we continue to look at how technology can be used to keep colleagues safe across our business.”

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