Shoplifters meet their match as retailers deploy facial recognition cameras

A facial recognition system shows visitors' faces and ages during the 2nd AI Expo at Tokyo Big Sight on April 5, 2018, Tokyo, Japan. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO/Zuma Press/TNS)

WASHINGTON: Shoplifters beware: Closed-circuit cameras in stores might be observing more than you think. As facial recognition software gets better, the battle against retail theft is moving into high tech. 

Retail stores with facial recognition systems can spot convicted or admitted shoplifters in about the time it takes to walk two paces into an establishment.