Source: Privacy Commissioner
Media releasePrivacy Commissioner Michael Webster will use his inquiry powers to keep a close eye on the facial recognition technology (FRT) trial that Foodstuffs North Island is starting on Thursday 8 February. The use of biometric technologies (which FRT is) is something he thinks all New Zealanders should care about because its a significant step in this technology becoming more commonplace and it has privacy implications. The trial is happening because the Privacy Commissioner asked Foodstuffs North Island to provide evidence that FRT was a justified way to reduce retail crime given the privacy impacts of using shoppers biometric information. Foodstuffs North Island will use the data from the trial, which is across 25 stores, to decide whether to roll-out the technology further. The Commissioners concern is that FRT isnt a proven tool in efforts to reduce harmful behaviour in supermarkets, especially violent harmful behaviour.
