Do you know if your local shops are using facial recognition on you? You might be surprised to find out that many big retailers are using this technology to track their customers.

CHOICE, a leading consumer advocacy group, is investigating the use of facial recognition by some of the biggest retailers in Australia.

So far, out of the 25 retailers the group interviewed, CHOICE has found that Kmart, Bunnings and The Good Guys are among the retailers who are capturing customers' biometric data.

This means that these retailers are able to track your movements and even target you with ads based on your shopping habits.

CHOICE’s survey also revealed that a staggering 76% of Australians are unaware that retailers are using facial recognition technology to capture their unique features.

Based on a survey of 1034 households, the report found that 76% of Australians were unaware that their unique facial features were being captured and stored by retailers. Even more worryingly, 83% of respondents agreed that retailers must properly inform customers about the use of this technology.

This means that retailers could be building up a database of your biometric data without you even knowing it.

Facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there are real concerns about how it might be misused. For example, 78% of respondents were concerned about how their biometric data was being stored, and 75% were worried that companies might use it to create customer profiles for marketing or profit.

It should be noted, however, that most retailers have signages at the front of their stores to inform customers that they are capturing biometric data.

CHOICE’s research revealed that Kmart, along with The Good Guys and Bunnings, utilises facial recognition technology in some of its stores. Credit: news.com.au.​

Kmart, for example, has “conditions of entry” signs at the entrance of its stores.

The sign read: “It is a condition of entry that any bag, parcel, carton or container be presented for checking if required by a team member.”

“This may occur at the fitting rooms or at the store exit points.”

“When leaving the store, proof of purchase will need to be shown.”

“This store has 24-hour CCTV coverage, which includes facial recognition technology.”

A Kmart spokesperson confirmed that the retailer is "trialling facial recognition in a small number of stores for the limited purposes of loss prevention (such as reducing refund fraud) and safety”.

“We are committed to keeping personal information private and protected in compliance with privacy law,” the spokesperson confirmed.

“We make our customers aware of facial recognition through our conditions of entry signage in participating stores and in our Kmart privacy policy.”

Simon McDowell, Bunnings chief operating officer, also confirmed that while some select stores have installed CCTV systems with facial recognition technology, the data from these systems are also only used to “help prevent theft and support the safety of our team and customers”.

He explained: “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of challenging interactions our team have had to handle in our stores and this technology is an important tool in helping us to prevent repeat abuse of team and customers.”

“We let customers know if the technology is in use through signage at our store entrances and also in our privacy policy, which is available on our website.”

"We respectfully disagree with the claims that discreet signage and online privacy policies are not nearly enough to adequately inform shoppers that this controversial technology is in use.”

Mr McDowell also stated that the use of the facial recognition systems is "consistent with the Privacy Act", insisting that they are solely utilised for preventing "threatening" situations such as theft.

Bunnings said that the use of facial recognition systems in its stores is "consistent with the Privacy Act". Credit: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi.​

Meanwhile, CHOICE consumer data advocate Kate Bower highlighted that the new technology captures "highly personal data" from shoppers, including images of their infants and children who come to shop with them.

“Using facial recognition technology in this way is similar to Kmart, Bunnings or The Good Guys collecting your fingerprints or DNA every time you shop,” she said.

“Businesses using invasive technologies to capture their customers’ sensitive biometric information is unethical and a sure way to erode consumer trust.”

The group is referring the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to investigate potential breaches of the Privacy Act.

CHOICE is also calling on the Federal Government to review the current regulatory framework that protects consumers from harmful practices, claiming that major changes need to be done.

Ms Bower said: “Choice is concerned that Australian businesses are using facial recognition technology on consumers before Australians have had their say on its use in our community."

“With the Government currently undergoing a review of the Privacy Act, now is the perfect time to strengthen measures around the capture and use of consumer data, including biometric data.”

The Good Guys has yet to comment on the issue. However, the retailer’s privacy policy states that the “cameras [installed in our stores] may use facial and feature recognition technology to capture an image of an individual’s face, features and clothing and to track an individual through the store.”

“Images may be retained but such surveillance is strictly for the purposes of security and theft prevention and managing/improving customer experience at our stores.”

We encourage our members to keep an eye out for the signages at the entrance of the stores if you’re worried that the establishment is taking photos without your consent.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think retailers should properly request consent from customers before they install facial recognition CCTV technologies in their shops?

 

[Singomate]

Do you know if your local shops are using facial recognition on you? You might be surprised to find out that many big retailers are using this technology to track their customers.

CHOICE, a leading consumer advocacy group, is investigating the use of facial recognition by some of the biggest retailers in Australia.

So far, out of the 25 retailers the group interviewed, CHOICE has found that Kmart, Bunnings and The Good Guys are among the retailers who are capturing customers' biometric data.

This means that these retailers are able to track your movements and even target you with ads based on your shopping habits.

CHOICE’s survey also revealed that a staggering 76% of Australians are unaware that retailers are using facial recognition technology to capture their unique features.

Based on a survey of 1034 households, the report found that 76% of Australians were unaware that their unique facial features were being captured and stored by retailers. Even more worryingly, 83% of respondents agreed that retailers must properly inform customers about the use of this technology.

This means that retailers could be building up a database of your biometric data without you even knowing it.

Facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there are real concerns about how it might be misused. For example, 78% of respondents were concerned about how their biometric data was being stored, and 75% were worried that companies might use it to create customer profiles for marketing or profit.

It should be noted, however, that most retailers have signages at the front of their stores to inform customers that they are capturing biometric data.

CHOICE’s research revealed that Kmart, along with The Good Guys and Bunnings, utilises facial recognition technology in some of its stores. Credit: news.com.au.​

Kmart, for example, has “conditions of entry” signs at the entrance of its stores.

The sign read: “It is a condition of entry that any bag, parcel, carton or container be presented for checking if required by a team member.”

“This may occur at the fitting rooms or at the store exit points.”

“When leaving the store, proof of purchase will need to be shown.”

“This store has 24-hour CCTV coverage, which includes facial recognition technology.”

A Kmart spokesperson confirmed that the retailer is "trialling facial recognition in a small number of stores for the limited purposes of loss prevention (such as reducing refund fraud) and safety”.

“We are committed to keeping personal information private and protected in compliance with privacy law,” the spokesperson confirmed.

“We make our customers aware of facial recognition through our conditions of entry signage in participating stores and in our Kmart privacy policy.”

Simon McDowell, Bunnings chief operating officer, also confirmed that while some select stores have installed CCTV systems with facial recognition technology, the data from these systems are also only used to “help prevent theft and support the safety of our team and customers”.

He explained: “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of challenging interactions our team have had to handle in our stores and this technology is an important tool in helping us to prevent repeat abuse of team and customers.”

“We let customers know if the technology is in use through signage at our store entrances and also in our privacy policy, which is available on our website.”

"We respectfully disagree with the claims that discreet signage and online privacy policies are not nearly enough to adequately inform shoppers that this controversial technology is in use.”

Mr McDowell also stated that the use of the facial recognition systems is "consistent with the Privacy Act", insisting that they are solely utilised for preventing "threatening" situations such as theft.

Bunnings said that the use of facial recognition systems in its stores is "consistent with the Privacy Act". Credit: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi.​

Meanwhile, CHOICE consumer data advocate Kate Bower highlighted that the new technology captures "highly personal data" from shoppers, including images of their infants and children who come to shop with them.

“Using facial recognition technology in this way is similar to Kmart, Bunnings or The Good Guys collecting your fingerprints or DNA every time you shop,” she said.

“Businesses using invasive technologies to capture their customers’ sensitive biometric information is unethical and a sure way to erode consumer trust.”

The group is referring the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to investigate potential breaches of the Privacy Act.

CHOICE is also calling on the Federal Government to review the current regulatory framework that protects consumers from harmful practices, claiming that major changes need to be done.

Ms Bower said: “Choice is concerned that Australian businesses are using facial recognition technology on consumers before Australians have had their say on its use in our community."

“With the Government currently undergoing a review of the Privacy Act, now is the perfect time to strengthen measures around the capture and use of consumer data, including biometric data.”

The Good Guys has yet to comment on the issue. However, the retailer’s privacy policy states that the “cameras [installed in our stores] may use facial and feature recognition technology to capture an image of an individual’s face, features and clothing and to track an individual through the store.”

“Images may be retained but such surveillance is strictly for the purposes of security and theft prevention and managing/improving customer experience at our stores.”

We encourage our members to keep an eye out for the signages at the entrance of the stores if you’re worried that the establishment is taking photos without your consent.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think retailers should properly request consent from customers before they install facial recognition CCTV technologies in their shops?

Really who cares if my weathered old face is being used for marketing purposes, it means the store will stock stuff that I like, are we not getting a little bit precious, don't like stores with facial recognition technology. Examples when we use cards credit or debit, loyalty, rewards and a million other ways,big brother knows.

 

[Ricci]

The storage of images would be gathering cobwebs if they used my images! I've only been in store once in about 5 years! Another reason I like online shopping!

 

[Ezzy]

Do you know if your local shops are using facial recognition on you? You might be surprised to find out that many big retailers are using this technology to track their customers.

CHOICE, a leading consumer advocacy group, is investigating the use of facial recognition by some of the biggest retailers in Australia.

So far, out of the 25 retailers the group interviewed, CHOICE has found that Kmart, Bunnings and The Good Guys are among the retailers who are capturing customers' biometric data.

This means that these retailers are able to track your movements and even target you with ads based on your shopping habits.

CHOICE’s survey also revealed that a staggering 76% of Australians are unaware that retailers are using facial recognition technology to capture their unique features.

Based on a survey of 1034 households, the report found that 76% of Australians were unaware that their unique facial features were being captured and stored by retailers. Even more worryingly, 83% of respondents agreed that retailers must properly inform customers about the use of this technology.

This means that retailers could be building up a database of your biometric data without you even knowing it.

Facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there are real concerns about how it might be misused. For example, 78% of respondents were concerned about how their biometric data was being stored, and 75% were worried that companies might use it to create customer profiles for marketing or profit.

It should be noted, however, that most retailers have signages at the front of their stores to inform customers that they are capturing biometric data.

CHOICE’s research revealed that Kmart, along with The Good Guys and Bunnings, utilises facial recognition technology in some of its stores. Credit: news.com.au.​

Kmart, for example, has “conditions of entry” signs at the entrance of its stores.

The sign read: “It is a condition of entry that any bag, parcel, carton or container be presented for checking if required by a team member.”

“This may occur at the fitting rooms or at the store exit points.”

“When leaving the store, proof of purchase will need to be shown.”

“This store has 24-hour CCTV coverage, which includes facial recognition technology.”

A Kmart spokesperson confirmed that the retailer is "trialling facial recognition in a small number of stores for the limited purposes of loss prevention (such as reducing refund fraud) and safety”.

“We are committed to keeping personal information private and protected in compliance with privacy law,” the spokesperson confirmed.

“We make our customers aware of facial recognition through our conditions of entry signage in participating stores and in our Kmart privacy policy.”

Simon McDowell, Bunnings chief operating officer, also confirmed that while some select stores have installed CCTV systems with facial recognition technology, the data from these systems are also only used to “help prevent theft and support the safety of our team and customers”.

He explained: “In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of challenging interactions our team have had to handle in our stores and this technology is an important tool in helping us to prevent repeat abuse of team and customers.”

“We let customers know if the technology is in use through signage at our store entrances and also in our privacy policy, which is available on our website.”

"We respectfully disagree with the claims that discreet signage and online privacy policies are not nearly enough to adequately inform shoppers that this controversial technology is in use.”

Mr McDowell also stated that the use of the facial recognition systems is "consistent with the Privacy Act", insisting that they are solely utilised for preventing "threatening" situations such as theft.

Bunnings said that the use of facial recognition systems in its stores is "consistent with the Privacy Act". Credit: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi.​

Meanwhile, CHOICE consumer data advocate Kate Bower highlighted that the new technology captures "highly personal data" from shoppers, including images of their infants and children who come to shop with them.

“Using facial recognition technology in this way is similar to Kmart, Bunnings or The Good Guys collecting your fingerprints or DNA every time you shop,” she said.

“Businesses using invasive technologies to capture their customers’ sensitive biometric information is unethical and a sure way to erode consumer trust.”

The group is referring the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to investigate potential breaches of the Privacy Act.

CHOICE is also calling on the Federal Government to review the current regulatory framework that protects consumers from harmful practices, claiming that major changes need to be done.

Ms Bower said: “Choice is concerned that Australian businesses are using facial recognition technology on consumers before Australians have had their say on its use in our community."

“With the Government currently undergoing a review of the Privacy Act, now is the perfect time to strengthen measures around the capture and use of consumer data, including biometric data.”

The Good Guys has yet to comment on the issue. However, the retailer’s privacy policy states that the “cameras [installed in our stores] may use facial and feature recognition technology to capture an image of an individual’s face, features and clothing and to track an individual through the store.”

“Images may be retained but such surveillance is strictly for the purposes of security and theft prevention and managing/improving customer experience at our stores.”

We encourage our members to keep an eye out for the signages at the entrance of the stores if you’re worried that the establishment is taking photos without your consent.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think retailers should properly request consent from customers before they install facial recognition CCTV technologies in their shops?

Can't say l have seen signage at the stores mentioned in W.A. when visiting them, but as l have done nothing to cause me or them concern l don't care. Would be nice for people to be advised in case they do object. Also that this is a condition of entry to the store..

 

[Esma Rose]

We are all becoming aware that "Big Brother" is nosey-parking in places you would never deem possible. We are ALL being observed from places we thought in our imagination was private. Technology is NOT dream stuff. It is for real & will easily scare the pants off us to rely on our personal computers. It is like being caught in a time capsule with nowhere to go. We are existing like robots in fear of believing our thinking is scrambled to such an extent that we aren't living. We are only existing. When you finally ARE AWARE of what is being done to us, it will be too late. Scarey business I call it. From one minute to another we don't know what they are cooking up next.