Leading Australian retailers have been secretly capturing the faces of their customers without their knowledge, according to an investigation by a consumer group.
Choice’s investigation examined 25 of the nation’s largest retailers and found that Bunnings, The Good Guys and Kmart have been analyzing CCTV footage to create profiles or “facial prints” of their customers, including children, without their knowledge.
Kmart did not confirm its use of technology to Choice. Credit: Penny Stephens
According to the results of the investigation, the three retailers appear to be the only ones using facial recognition technology. Bunnings acknowledged that he was in their stores while Kmart and The Good Guys did not respond to Choice’s confirmation request.
Consumer group data advocate Kate Bower said almost 80% of Australians did not know that retailers were capturing their facial features in this way and that it was similar to “picking up your fingerprints or DNA every time you buy “.
“Companies that use invasive technologies to capture sensitive biometric information from their customers are unethical and are a safe way to erode consumer confidence,” he said.
Bower said Kmart and Bunnings had unobtrusive signs at the entrance of relevant stores, as well as a privacy policy that can be found online, but that such measures were insufficient.
“Discreet signage and online privacy policies are not enough to properly inform shoppers that this controversial technology is in use. The technology is capturing very personal customer data, including babies and children,” he said.
Choice has referred infringing retailers to the Office of the Information Commissioner of Australia to investigate possible breaches of the Privacy Act and is pushing the government to implement a regulatory framework to protect consumers from harmful and unfair practices.
“With the government currently reviewing the Privacy Act, now is the perfect time to step up measures around the capture and use of consumer data, including biometric data,” Bower said.