Let’s talk about the future of security tech, that seems to be becoming more advanced by the year. I understand now that Target among some other prime talent attracting retail stores have invested into upgrading their security cameras to include facial recognition and AI. Some I hear even go so far as to store your personal information by linking your face to your purchases to match your identity so that whenever you enter the store, they know exactly who you are. Further, they monitor your license plate.
What does this mean for the future of our profession? Does anyone have any insight on this? Is this the beginning of the end for us? Is there anything we can wear or do to protect our identity from these security cameras, any clothing that can deflect visuals or things we can put over our license plate that may obscure the visibility from cameras, but preserve it to the naked eye?
I’m hoping to figure this all out as a community so we can move forward in preserving the art of cap and creep.
Good luck everyone, and any insight would be appreciated.
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This seems to be advancing more in the US than elsewhere. This just makes in-store capping all the more riskier. We may have to adopt smarter strategies (blending in phone case with clothing or bag, actually shop while capping, avoid persuing a subject for long periods of time, wear a face mask, etc.,).
This will definitely lead to a trend of more street/subway capping. I for one already prefer capping on the subway, street and other walkable public areas as it is easier to pursue and follow a subject without seeming suspicious.
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Yes uk have now adopted smartface that is facial recognition in stores to prevent shoplifting people already walking in certain stores and getting told to leave immediately because they have been put on lists
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Speaking as an American, stick to shooting pictures outdoors in public places. Stores are becoming too risky.
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Stores are risky anyway. Just gotta be super discreet and not obvious. The opportunistic shots will be still be good, but any shots that are forced or unnatural will be not worth it.
I mean in my country I’ve seen security cameras with the help of AI being able to detect ‘suspicious’ movements, like moving items straight into your pockets, to detect people stealing items. I could definitely see stuff like this get implemented also for these purposes
Maybe in US. As a European? Nothing
That’s the main point to me. Why do the US cappers stick to store indoor capping? Don’t you have packed pedestrian zones like in Europe (which I’d call “capper’s paradise”)? Many ppl floating though downtown means a huge amount of girls to cap plus possibilities to hide away when needed. Came back from a 1,5 hrs capping tour today with 2300 (photo) caps. 
Beautiful girls and women - all without caring about security cams, licence plates, …
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The US isn’t a pedestrian friendly place like Europe, so less opportunities for this. However, cities like NYC have a lot of pedestrian areas like Time Square and its no surprise that a lot of capping content online is made in downtown NYC.
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I used to work as an undercover APS (Assets Protection Specialist) at Target and at the time, and as of current, Target does not keep information on cappers. They solely focus on theft and scam subjects. So, unless you go over the top and sexually assault/harrass someone, you’re safe. Of course if you get caught capping someone and are approached by AP, you’d most likely just be asked to leave. Throughout my entire time at Target, we’ve never approached any cappers nor have we experienced a lot of them. We don’t call law enforcement for dudes recording chicks nor do we care to keep your photo or vehicle information. Keep in mind though, we focus on any suspicious behavior, so if you have been caught by LP before it’s because they most likely followed you from when you walked in thinking you were up to shoplifting but instead they catch you following a subject around and recording them. So, ya’ll just keep in mind whenever you walk into a retail setting, capping isn’t on top of the list of what AP/Retail Security looks out for.
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That’s what I heard from a friend that use to work retail. Stores number 1 priority is always theft. So yeah if you walk around suspicious without a shopping cart or items in your hand you most definitely attract attention. Especially in big stores like target. That’s why I mostly stick to Latin supermarkets where security is basically nonexistent lol
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What types of public places would you recommend that aren’t rarities like special events and concerts? you know, places more common on an everyday type approach?
Just avoid capping in supermarkets.
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Crowded streets, shopping districts, tourist attractions…any city in the US has places to go shoot.
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Supermarkets are the easiest places to be honest. It’s just a combination of actually doing some shopping and dont look all suspicious just walking around with only your phone in hand. I definitely avoid target and Walmart because many shooters get caught there
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Supermarkets are pretty easy, yes. My main capping place
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