Self checkout offers a (supposed) benefit. No waiting in a checkout line with 9 people or huge carts when you want a few things. Or maybe you don’t want to interact with a cashier.
I’m not saying the benefits have worked out, especially when places replaced all cashiers either self checkout instead of supplementing.
But there is nothing inherently draconian about it to me. I like the option of self checkout and often use it.
Those scales in the picture just scream “prove you’re not a criminal, scumbag”.
There used to be nothing pleasant or helpful or anything like that about them. And if people have to walk through them they could be weighing their customers too. Used a loyalty card? They know your weight!
Hopefully they aren’t doing that. But you get my point. It actively feels hostile. The supposed benefit of finding things that got double scanned seems incredibly unlikely to me. That’s clearly an excuse.
If you’re not going to pair something like this with a very big benefit, like a one in 100 chance of getting your entire cart for free, why would anyone opt into this if you can go to a different store instead?