Coles and Woolworths testing facial recognition tech for retail crime prevention
Consensus Summary
Coles and Woolworths have tested facial recognition technology to address retail crime, including aggression and weapons being presented in stores. Both companies emphasized that their tests were limited in scope, with Coles describing its efforts as a small, one-off proof-of-concept that did not involve customer data. The testing follows a legal victory by Bunnings, which successfully appealed a 2024 privacy commissioner ruling to use facial recognition, though the tribunal noted Bunnings had not properly notified customers. Privacy advocates warn of disproportionate surveillance and inaccuracies, while retailers argue the technology could help identify repeat offenders. The ABC notes updated guidance from the Privacy Commissioner in July allowing facial recognition in public spaces, while the Guardian highlights broader concerns about normalizing surveillance in everyday retail environments.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Coles and Woolworths conducted tests of facial recognition technology to combat retail crime, including aggression and weapons being presented
- Coles described its testing as a 'small, one-off, controlled proof-of-concept test' that did not use customer or team member data
- Woolworths tested facial recognition technology in its New Zealand offices
- The Administrative Review Tribunal reversed a 2024 ruling by the privacy commissioner, allowing Bunnings to use facial recognition technology after an appeal
- Both sources mention concerns about privacy and misuse of facial recognition technology, including disproportionate surveillance in supermarkets
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Privacy Commissioner published updated guidance in July allowing facial recognition in public spaces, including retail stores
- A survey by the SDA at the end of last year found about a third of retail workers did not feel safe, based on data from nearly 3,000 workers over the period of 12 months
- The Australian Retail Council (ARC) stated that facial recognition could help identify known high-harm repeat offenders
- Dr Jason Pallant from RMIT University highlighted a 'security versus privacy dilemma' and emphasized the need for transparency and consumer education
- Tom Sulston from Digital Rights Watch called facial recognition 'wildly inaccurate' and said it was 'grossly disproportionate' for supermarkets to use it
- Dr Luke Munn from the University of Queensland warned that the technology could be used beyond its initial purpose, normalizing surveillance
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Coles conducted a 'proof-of-concept test' in February 2024, while ABC does not specify a date for Coles' testing but mentions broader 'early testing'
- The Guardian mentions a 2024 ruling by the privacy commissioner that Bunnings breached privacy laws, while ABC states the tribunal reversed the 2024 ruling in February, implying the tribunal decision was later than the commissioner's initial ruling
Source Articles
Alarm raised over ‘privacy dilemma’ of facial recognition technology at Coles and Woolworths
Supermarkets say they are exploring ways to keep people safe, but experts claim the tech is ‘normalising surveillance’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Consumer privacy advocates have responded with alarm after Coles and Woolworths confirmed they were testing facial recognition technology that they could use in their Australian supermarkets to record shoppers’ personal biometric data. The supermarket giants on Monday confirmed they had tested the technology and said t
Coles and Woolworths test facial recognition technology
The technology captures the faces of customers and matches their features against databases to identify repeat violent offenders.