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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Josh Taylor

Bunnings and Kmart halt use of facial recognition technology in stores as privacy watchdog investigates

Bunnings exterior
Bunnings and Kmart have stopped the use of facial recognition technology as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner investigates compliance with privacy laws. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Kmart and Bunnings have paused the use of facial recognition technology in their stores, amid an investigation from Australia’s privacy regulator.

Consumer group Choice last month revealed Bunnings and Kmart were using the technology – which captures images of people’s faces from video cameras as a unique faceprint that is then stored and can be compared with other faceprints – in what the companies say is a move to protect customers and staff and reduce theft in select stores.

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