Cheap and easy to order ‘Spoof Masks’ have sparked concerns that they could be used as tools for criminal activities, particularly in shoplifting and potentially putting public safety at risk.
Spoof masks are material novelty masks designed to resemble well-known faces such as celebrities and fictional characters. Buyers can also customise masks with their own images.
Retailers are pouring thousands into crime prevention within their stores with a big push on facial recognition technologies. However, the challenge of accurately identifying individuals wearing masks in stores could complicate these efforts significantly.
After American freelance investigative reporter Brian Armstrong shared a post on LinkedIn stating “these masks are going to be a problem, and this is a law enforcement nightmare”, security expert Farrah McNutt reshared his post to several social media groups. This prompted reactions calling for a ban on novelty masks.
Resharing Armstrong’s post on LinkedIn McNutt, the owner of Catch a Thief UK, wrote: “After I first saw this video here, I posted it via other social media platform community crime awareness groups. The reaction I have seen from the public is that these should be banned and many fear what could happen if these end up in the wrong hands. They are easily available via eBay and manufactured in China.”
When Convenience Store looked online, it was found that the masks can be bought from eBay for as little as £2.39.
On McNutt’s post, Nisa retailer Amit Puntambekar wrote: “Well done on raising awareness Farrah; government and enforcement are too slow to react to the changing pace of innovation”. Other’s wrote that the masks are “very concerning”.
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