The National Gallery of Ireland is to place signs at its entrances to tell people that they will be tracked during their visit via their mobile phones. Previously the warning was given only on the venue’s website.

Galleries worldwide now monitor visitors’ movements. Some look at how long a person stays in each room and which paintings attract most interest. The data is used to inform decisions on improvements.

The Merrion Square West gallery uses a system called ShopperTrak, which records footfall at the two entrances, in the café, the shop and in some rooms. The areas covered include the print gallery and rooms six to ten, where temporary exhibitions are located, including the current New Perspectives show, which features the institution’s acquisitions over the