Australian supermarkets weigh facial-recognition scans as a new security tool

A recent Administrative Review Tribunal decision cleared Bunnings to deploy facial-recognition cameras in its Australian outlets, prompting other chains to explore similar systems. Coles conducted a small, controlled proof-of-concept test that did not involve customer data, and Woolworths ran a trial in its New Zealand office, both citing goals of protecting staff and shoppers. Facial-recognition differs from CCTV by generating a biometric template that can instantly compare faces to known offenders or individuals with police warrants.

Critics, including Digital Rights Watch, argue the technology threatens privacy and could be used for profiling or price manipulation, while regulators emphasize compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles and upcoming December rules on automated decision-making. No retailer has confirmed a rollout in Australian stores yet, but the debate highlights the tension between enhanced security and civil liberties.