#143 A debate about facial recognition

This week Arj is joined by elevenM colleague Brett Watson to breakdown the issues surrounding the rollout of facial recognition technology (FRT) across retail settings, stadiums and other venues in Australia.

The Privacy Commissioner recently ruled that the use of FRT by Australian retailers Bunnings and Kmart breached Australians' privacy. Bunnings is appealing the ruling, while Kmart is also considering an appeal - both arguing that their use of FRT is a proportionate response to issues like violence and theft in their stores.

With that as the backdrop, Arj and Brett debate the merits of privacy advocates' arguments against FRT.

Links:
OAIC ruling against Bunnings https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/bunnings-breached-australians-privacy-with-facial-recogni…
OAIC ruling against Kmart https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/18-kmarts-use-of-facial-recognition-to-tackle-refund-frau…
Article about OAIC ruling against Kmart (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-18/kmart-facial-recognition-technology-privacy-commissioner/105…
Article about Bunnings arguments in favour of FRT (AFR - paywall) https://www.afr.com/technology/bunnings-boss-wants-new-laws-to-allow-facial-recognition-in-stores-2…
Article about Wesfarmers citing rise in retail theft (Skynews) https://www.skynews.com.au/business/finance/wesfarmers-boss-rob-scott-laments-uptick-in-retail-thef…
NZ Privacy Commissioner inquiry into Foodstuffs use of FRT https://www.privacy.org.nz/focus-areas/frt-inquiry-report/
Article about woman misidentified by Foodstuffs FRT (RNZ) https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535871/woman-wrongly-kicked-out-over-foodstuffs-facial-recognit…

Credits:
Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au
Music by Bensound.com