Wednesday 29 June 2022 03:15 AM The Good Guys scrap facial recognition as Kmart and Bunnings wait on privacy ... trends now
The Good Guys will stop using facial recognition cameras after massive public backlash that saw concerned customers flood the privacy watchdog with complaints.
The home appliances chain said on Tuesday it was suspending the use of facial recognition in their store surveillance, pending a ruling from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on whether the use of the technology is permitted under The Privacy Act.
Consumer group Choice made a complaint to the agency after it discovered facial recognition, which captures 'faceprints' of people to uniquely identify them, was being used by Bunnings, Kmart and The Good Guys and customers were largely unaware.
White goods retailer The Good Guys has suspended its use of facial recognition technology as a privacy watchdog looks into a complaint about its potential privacy implications
The Good Guys said it had paused a five-month trial in two Melbourne stores, Maribyrnong and Brighton.
'The Good Guys take the confidentiality of personal information extremely seriously and remains confident that the trial complied with all applicable laws,' a spokesperson said.
'The technology was solely used to review incidents of theft, and for the purposes of customer and team member safety and wellbeing.'
Kmart has signs at the front of stores which inform customers that facial recognition technology is used
Choice campaigns and policy adviser Amy Pereira welcomed the move by The Good Guys and said the community backlash against the use of facial recognition had been 'overwhelming'.
'This is an important step in the right direction for The Good Guys, and a decision we know reflects community expectations,' Ms Pereira said.
'Following our investigation, we have had an overwhelming response from the Australian community saying clearly they do not want this kind of technology used in retail stores.
'People who shop at The Good Guys will be pleased to know they're now able to do their shopping without this intrusive technology monitoring them.'
Despite the entrance signs and advice on Kmart's website, a Choice survey found that 76 per cent of shoppers were unaware that facial recognition
