A report into facial recognition systems used on shoppers shows teenagers are the worst offenders for threatening supermarket staff. The company said the preponderance of teenagers among offenders did not undermine its expectation that adult-only facial recognition was a good way of combating the issue. The trial is also helping us understand the operational impacts and processes involved with using facial recognition in our stores." Facial recognition was a proportionate response because North Island supermarket trial had been effective at reducing serious threatening behaviour, the privacy assessment said. Facial recognition relies on biometrics, like a person's face or fingerprints.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 24, 2025 05:13 UTC