On Monday, SBB published an amended tender for a controversial customer frequency measurement system at train stations.
The project was widely criticized in the media. In particular, there were fears that facial recognition technology would be used to track the movements of passersby.
In the current press release, SBB emphasizes that this is not planned. As already announced at the balance sheet media conference in mid-March 2023, “after weighing the benefits, the possibility to define customer segments by age, gender or size” will no longer apply.
Not before early 2025
“The benefit to the railway company” is not given enough, it would justify. In addition, the SBB had heard the concerns of politicians and the public and would take them seriously. Therefore, at the beginning of April 2023, the original tender was temporarily canceled and an amended tender “without segmentation option” has now been published.
The award is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2023. The system is “probably scheduled to be operational in early 2025”.
Why the uncertainty?
The SBB writes this in an updated information article on their website (see resources):
SBB understands people’s fears when it comes to collecting and using data. She welcomes the public discussion on this.”
The SBB also explains that they informed the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) about the project for the new customer frequency measurement system at an early stage. A decision on a bid will only be made after consultation with the FDPIC.
The contract will only be awarded “if data protection is fully respected”. Naturally, the SBB adhered to the legal requirements.
What is the measurement system about?
For more than ten years, the SBB has been registering where people are and where they pass at larger stations. Such a customer frequency measurement system should also be applied at other stations in the future.
The aim is to “increase safety in the station where necessary, optimize cleaning plans and ensure that the right supply reaches the right place”. So that, for example, ticket machines or supermarkets are the place where it makes the most sense for travelers.
Sources
- sbb.ch: Knowing the flow of people in train stations better: what it’s all about
(dsc)
Source: Watson
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
