Australian supermarkets targeted for face recognition technology appeal

Traders have previously said that the technology is used for security reasons

A large group of consumers sent three chains to Australian supermarkets in the privacy control, claimed to be using “unreasonable” face recognition technology to customers, and recommended enforcement action.

CHOICE, in a complaint from the Australian Information Commission (OAIC) ​​Office released on Monday, said the use of technology in JB Hi-Fi Ltd’s electrical chain The Good Guys, as well as the hardware chain Bunnings, and the Australia. –Kbox dealer Kmart – both from Wesfarmers Ltd – was unauthorized and violated the privacy policy.

OAIC, JB Hi-Fi, and Wesfarmers could not be reached for comment. Earlier, traffickers told the media that they were using this technology to protect themselves.

CHOICE regularly contributes to government inquiries about consumer affairs and its website claims to have contributed to many regulatory changes such as the prevention of risky financial products.

In the complaint, CHOICE policy adviser Amy Pereira said face recognition technology poses “significant risks to individuals” including “privacy attacks, anonymity, discrimination, profiles and exclusions, as well as the risk of cybercrime through data breach and identity theft”.

“CHOICE urges you as the Commissioner to investigate this matter further and consider taking steps to enforce the law,” Pereira said.

Any investigation could be a major Australian in technology, although the OAIC has looked into the matter before.

In 2021, it ordered the Australian 7-Eleven chain to destroy the “faceprints” collected from 700 easily accessible stores after conducting a store survey on the matter. It also instructed the U.S. software developer Clearview AI, which collects images on social media websites to create personal profiles, decrypt data and set up a practice in Australia.

The three chains of the CHOICE complaint operate in about 800 stores, booking A $ 25 billion ($ 17 billion) in sales last year.

The consumer group said the three firms collected personal and sensitive information without permission and without explicitly disclosing the practice in the policy.

Some stores had signs warning consumers of the technology, but “customer peace cannot be considered a license” and many had no other place to shop, CHOICE said.