Your next trip to Coles or Woolies could feel a little more like an episode of Black Mirror.
Both supermarket giants have been testing facial recognition technology as they look for new ways to tackle theft, aggression and violence in their stores.
Smile, You’re Being Watched?
Before you panic and start wearing your sunnies through the fruit and veg aisle, there’s an important catch.
Coles says it has not trialled the technology in its stores. Instead, it carried out a small, controlled proof of concept that did not use customer or team member information. The supermarket says no decision has been made about introducing the technology.
Woolworths has also tested the technology, although the test took place at the company’s New Zealand office.
Why Are They Doing It?
Retailers say facial recognition could help identify known repeat offenders and potentially stop incidents before they happen.
That comes as supermarket workers report increasing levels of abuse and violence, with staff facing everything from aggression to threats involving weapons.
But privacy experts are raising questions about how much surveillance shoppers should accept just to buy their groceries.
Will It Come To Your Local Store?
For now, there’s no confirmation Coles or Woolies will introduce facial recognition across Australian stores.
But if they do, you might want to perfect your “I definitely didn’t steal that Tim Tam” face.
