Supermarket giant Sainsbury's is trialling new dual-facing cameras inside its grocery delivery vehicles, a move it says is for safety but which has sparked significant privacy concerns from its drivers.
What the new camera system involves
The trial involves installing Samsara brand cameras that face both the road ahead and the driver inside the cab, alongside a standard reversing camera. A key change from previous systems is that these new cameras will have the ability to record video footage, although they will not record audio.
According to an internal document seen by BirminghamLive, the cameras are designed to activate and record primarily when an incident, such as a collision, is detected. A red light will illuminate to inform the driver when recording is in progress.
The driver-facing camera also provides real-time 'nudges' or alerts for potential hazards. These notifications can warn drivers about distractions inside the vehicle or remind them if they are not wearing a seatbelt.
Driver concerns and union response
The introduction of the technology has led to unease among staff, with some drivers expressing fears that they are being 'spied on' while performing their duties. This sentiment persists despite Sainsbury's stating it engaged with drivers and unions before the trial began.
Contradicting the company's claim, one driver reported they had 'not been part of any discussions or been asked to sign anything' regarding the new surveillance equipment.
The union Usdaw, which represents shop and delivery workers, has been briefed on the initiative. Bally Auluk, a national officer at Usdaw, commented: 'Usdaw has been briefed by Sainsbury’s about their trial of CCTV in delivery vans in 8 midlands stores and we are monitoring closely how it works over the 16-week trial period.'
Mr Auluk acknowledged the dangers drivers can face, citing member reports of 'road rage from other drivers, anti-social behaviour and thefts'. He emphasised that the union wants it to be clear that vans are being monitored and urged the public to respect delivery drivers as key workers.
Company justification and trial details
A Sainsbury's spokesperson defended the trial, stating the technology is commonly used by other delivery companies and is governed by 'strict parameters for how it is used'. The spokesperson stressed that the primary purpose is safety, saying, 'This is about keeping everyone safe and supported.'
The spokesperson explained that the system provides 'real-time hazard alerts, which helps prevent incidents' and that the cameras only switch on when a potential incident is detected.
This vehicle camera trial follows a separate initiative announced by Sainsbury's in September to roll-out facial recognition technology in its stores nationwide. The current camera trial is taking place in a small number of grocery delivery vans and is scheduled to last for 16 weeks.
