Source: Privacy Commissioner
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster has today started his Inquiry into Foodstuffs North Islands trial of facial recognition technology (FRT) in 25 of its supermarkets. The Inquiry is designed to monitor the way stores are running the trial to ensure that it is compliant with the Privacy Act. It will also inform the Commissioners assessment of the effectiveness of the use of FRT in reducing harmful behaviour in Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets once the trial is completed. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says: At the end of the six-month trial I will be assessing the evidence that the use of FRT is justified. Has it made a practical and statistically significant difference to the incidence of retail crime in Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets relative to other less intrusive options?
Using facial recognition technology to reduce harmful behaviour in supermarkets raises significant privacy risks and the trial is itself not without risk.
