Facial recognition technology is going to be used in New Zealand supermarkets for the first time in a bid to combat repeat offending but it's a move that has the Privacy Commissioner concerned.
Foodstuffs North Island will be trialling facial recognition technology (FRT) in up to 25 Pak'nSave and New World stores over the next six months.
The trial starts tomorrow.
"We've seen a massive increase in retail crime statistics recently. In the last quarter of last year alone we saw 4719 incidents," Foodstuffs North Island's general counsel Julian Benefield said.
"One-third of those are repeat offenders."
Currently, individuals are trespassed from individual stores and it falls on the staff to remember each individual.
"I can't remember every face that I trespass. That's the hardest part," said Ranjeet Singh from Pak'nSave Ormiston's security team.
"People can change their hair, grow a beard. It's really hard."
Now the supermarket giant hopes FRT will help.
Every person who enters the supermarket will be scanned and matched against a database of offenders' images. These can be sourced from security footage.
"So if they've been violent, aggressive or abusive they will be pre-enrolled," said security specialist Caroline.
"If someone walks in it sends an alert to that device and they then get a second person and do a visual match."
Detailed information regarding their offence and the length of their trespass notice is immediately available to security.
If there is no clear match the image is deleted within seconds.
"Historically, facial recognition settings are set quite low so we've set ours high at 90 per cent. Unless we are sure of it we won't get an alert," Caroline explained.
'Privacy is maintained' - Foodstuffs
The technology is advanced enough to recognise faces that have been obstructed by hoods, glasses and even wigs.
It has taken years of development that Benefield said has involved external parties to ensure people's privacy is maintained.
"We've consulted with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner around the trial and have worked with them so it minimises privacy impacts on the customer.
"In addition to that we are working with an independent evaluator who has helped us to design the trial and helped us to evaluate the trial throughout that process."
Data will not be shared between stores and will not be used for any other purposes.
"No data will be shared with other stores using facial recognition and it will be used solely for the purpose of retail security," Benefield assured.
Signs will begin to appear in participating stores next week.
Privacy Commissioner concerned
Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster was quick to acknowledge the need for staff and customer safety but said he had real questions about FRT's effectiveness in combating violent offending.
"When people go to pick up their eggs and milk and bread I don't want their faces scanned unless it's justified that takes place. So what I'm doing is using the powers I have to launch an enquiry into the conduct of the use of FRT as part of this trial by foodstuffs," he said.
Webster said it's an inquiry that will run along side Foodstuff North Island's trial.
"I have real questions around the use of FRT as a way to reduce harm and a way or reducing violent behaviour. So this trial will be very important as a way of gathering evidence."
Meanwhile, Singh said he is just happy to have another set of eyes to help him do his job.
"Knowing the person who has walked in and knowing what they've done and what they are going to do is really helpful."
SHARE ME