Coles and Woolworths test facial recognition technology
Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have begun testing facial recognition technology in a number of stores. The system captures customers' faces and matches their features against databases to identify repeat violent offenders. The rollout has sparked debate over privacy and how the data will be secured.
Australian supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths have begun trialling facial recognition technology in a number of stores. The system captures the facial features of customers and matches them against pre-built databases.
The retailers say the primary aim of the technology is to identify individuals involved in repeat violent incidents in stores and to help protect staff. The rollout comes amid reported increases in assaults against retail workers in recent years.
The move has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and some consumer groups. Critics are calling for greater transparency over how the biometric data collected will be stored and who might have access to it.
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