Is Bunnings secretly spying on you? Facial recognition scandal exposes privacy breach!
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In an age where technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, the line between security and privacy often becomes blurred.
This has been highlighted by a recent ruling that one of Australia's most frequented retailers has been found to breach privacy laws through the use of one specific security feature.
The Privacy Commissioner has made a stand, but the company is not backing down without a fight.
The controversy began when it was discovered that Bunnings had implemented facial recognition technology in at least 62 of its stores across Victoria and New South Wales.
Between November 2018 and November 2021, the faces of hundreds of thousands of shoppers were captured by CCTV cameras.
This has raised significant concerns, as a person's face is considered sensitive information under the Privacy Act.
Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind announced that Bunnings had collected individuals' sensitive information without consent, failed to notify individuals that their personal information was being collected, and did not include required information in its privacy policy.
These actions were deemed to be in breach of the Privacy Act, prompting Bunnings to temporarily halt the use of the cameras during the investigation.
However, Bunnings has stated its intention to challenge the findings at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
‘The Commissioner acknowledged that (facial recognition technology) had the potential to protect against serious issues, such as crime and violent behaviour,’ a Bunnings spokesperson said in a statement.
‘This was the very reason Bunnings used the technology.’
‘Unless matched against a specific database of people known to, or banned from stores for abusive, violent behaviour or criminal conduct, the electronic data of the vast majority of people was processed and deleted in 0.00417 seconds—less than the blink of an eye,’ they added.
‘We believe that customer privacy was not at risk. The electronic data was never used for marketing purposes or to track customer behaviour.’
The retailer states that abuse, threats, and assaults against retail staff are increasing across the sector, and these statistics fail to capture the true impact of such incidents on employees.
‘Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. No one should have to come to work and face verbal abuse, threats, physical violence or have weapons pulled on them,’ the company said in another statement.
The Privacy Commissioner acknowledged that Bunnings may have had good intentions with the use of cameras.
‘However, just because a technology may be helpful or convenient, does not mean its use is justifiable,’ Ms Kind explained.
‘In this instance, deploying facial recognition technology was the most intrusive option, disproportionately interfering with the privacy of everyone who entered its stores, not just high-risk individuals.’
While facial recognition technology could help prevent crime and violent behaviour, this benefit must be balanced against ‘the impact on privacy rights, as well as our collective values as a society’.
‘Individuals who entered the relevant Bunnings stores at the time would not have been aware that facial recognition technology was in use and especially that their sensitive information was being collected, even if briefly,’ Ms Kind continued.
The Commissioner has mandated that Bunnings must destroy all personal and sensitive information collected after one year.
Additionally, the retailer must cease any practices that infringe on individuals' privacy, including collecting facial images without consent.
A report by consumer group CHOICE triggered the commission's investigation. They disclosed that Kmart, Bunnings, and The Good Guys were employing facial recognition technology.
‘We are very pleased to hear the Information Commissioner has determined that Bunnings has breached the Privacy Act, following its controversial use of facial recognition technology in stores across the country,’ CHOICE Policy Adviser Rafi Alam stated.
‘This is a landmark decision that will prompt all businesses to think carefully about the use of facial recognition in Australia going forward.’
Mr Alam stated that the general public had been ‘shocked’ by the use of the technology in sporting and concert venues, pubs, clubs, and retail stores.
‘While the decision from the (commissioner) is a strong step in the right direction, there is still more to be done. Australia’s current privacy laws are confusing, outdated and difficult to enforce,’ he added.
Bunnings will not face any penalties based on the latest findings.
The Privacy Commissioner’s office stated that its investigation into Kmart’s facial recognition cameras is ‘nearing the finish line’.
The office made inquiries about The Good Guys' use of cameras but decided not to pursue an investigation.
The recent findings on Bunnings' use of facial recognition cameras, which sparked significant privacy concerns, highlight a growing issue in the retail sector.
With the retailer challenging the ruling, this incident raises broader questions about how facial data is handled and protected.
This concern extends beyond just Bunnings, as the legality of gathering and marketing facial data without explicit consent remains a contentious topic.
In fact, it's alarming to learn that anyone can legally collect and sell your facial data without your explicit permission, posing serious privacy implications for everyone.
We at the Seniors Discount Club encourage our members to stay informed about their privacy rights and to voice their concerns when they feel those rights may be infringed upon.
What are your thoughts on the use of facial recognition technology in retail stores? Do you feel safer, or do you believe it's an invasion of privacy? Share your opinions with us in the comments below.
This has been highlighted by a recent ruling that one of Australia's most frequented retailers has been found to breach privacy laws through the use of one specific security feature.
The Privacy Commissioner has made a stand, but the company is not backing down without a fight.
The controversy began when it was discovered that Bunnings had implemented facial recognition technology in at least 62 of its stores across Victoria and New South Wales.
Between November 2018 and November 2021, the faces of hundreds of thousands of shoppers were captured by CCTV cameras.
This has raised significant concerns, as a person's face is considered sensitive information under the Privacy Act.
The Privacy Commissioner found Bunnings in breach of the Privacy Act for using facial recognition technology. Credit: Facebook / Freedom Media WA
Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind announced that Bunnings had collected individuals' sensitive information without consent, failed to notify individuals that their personal information was being collected, and did not include required information in its privacy policy.
These actions were deemed to be in breach of the Privacy Act, prompting Bunnings to temporarily halt the use of the cameras during the investigation.
However, Bunnings has stated its intention to challenge the findings at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
‘The Commissioner acknowledged that (facial recognition technology) had the potential to protect against serious issues, such as crime and violent behaviour,’ a Bunnings spokesperson said in a statement.
‘This was the very reason Bunnings used the technology.’
‘Unless matched against a specific database of people known to, or banned from stores for abusive, violent behaviour or criminal conduct, the electronic data of the vast majority of people was processed and deleted in 0.00417 seconds—less than the blink of an eye,’ they added.
‘We believe that customer privacy was not at risk. The electronic data was never used for marketing purposes or to track customer behaviour.’
The retailer states that abuse, threats, and assaults against retail staff are increasing across the sector, and these statistics fail to capture the true impact of such incidents on employees.
‘Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. No one should have to come to work and face verbal abuse, threats, physical violence or have weapons pulled on them,’ the company said in another statement.
The Privacy Commissioner acknowledged that Bunnings may have had good intentions with the use of cameras.
‘However, just because a technology may be helpful or convenient, does not mean its use is justifiable,’ Ms Kind explained.
‘In this instance, deploying facial recognition technology was the most intrusive option, disproportionately interfering with the privacy of everyone who entered its stores, not just high-risk individuals.’
While facial recognition technology could help prevent crime and violent behaviour, this benefit must be balanced against ‘the impact on privacy rights, as well as our collective values as a society’.
‘Individuals who entered the relevant Bunnings stores at the time would not have been aware that facial recognition technology was in use and especially that their sensitive information was being collected, even if briefly,’ Ms Kind continued.
The Commissioner has mandated that Bunnings must destroy all personal and sensitive information collected after one year.
Additionally, the retailer must cease any practices that infringe on individuals' privacy, including collecting facial images without consent.
A report by consumer group CHOICE triggered the commission's investigation. They disclosed that Kmart, Bunnings, and The Good Guys were employing facial recognition technology.
‘We are very pleased to hear the Information Commissioner has determined that Bunnings has breached the Privacy Act, following its controversial use of facial recognition technology in stores across the country,’ CHOICE Policy Adviser Rafi Alam stated.
‘This is a landmark decision that will prompt all businesses to think carefully about the use of facial recognition in Australia going forward.’
Mr Alam stated that the general public had been ‘shocked’ by the use of the technology in sporting and concert venues, pubs, clubs, and retail stores.
‘While the decision from the (commissioner) is a strong step in the right direction, there is still more to be done. Australia’s current privacy laws are confusing, outdated and difficult to enforce,’ he added.
Bunnings will not face any penalties based on the latest findings.
The Privacy Commissioner’s office stated that its investigation into Kmart’s facial recognition cameras is ‘nearing the finish line’.
The office made inquiries about The Good Guys' use of cameras but decided not to pursue an investigation.
The recent findings on Bunnings' use of facial recognition cameras, which sparked significant privacy concerns, highlight a growing issue in the retail sector.
With the retailer challenging the ruling, this incident raises broader questions about how facial data is handled and protected.
This concern extends beyond just Bunnings, as the legality of gathering and marketing facial data without explicit consent remains a contentious topic.
In fact, it's alarming to learn that anyone can legally collect and sell your facial data without your explicit permission, posing serious privacy implications for everyone.
What are your thoughts on the use of facial recognition technology in retail stores? Do you feel safer, or do you believe it's an invasion of privacy? Share your opinions with us in the comments below.
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