Bunnings: This is why we put out CCTV showing aggro at our stores

Friday, 22 November 2024

The footage was released as it defended recording the facial data of hundreds of thousands of customers without their consent.

There’s a good reason why Bunnings released a compilation of CCTV footage that shows violent attacks, nudity and dogs in its stores, its managing director says.

The move was in defence of the use of facial recognition in the chain in Australia.

The company said it would seek a review of Australia’s privacy commissioner’s determination that it breached the privacy of hundreds of thousands of customers using facial recognition technology, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, arguing the technology’s use appropriately balanced privacy with the need to protect staff against violent and organised crime.

A naked man walks through one of the Bunnings stores.

In an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald, Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider said the chain introduced facial-recognition technology to identify known repeat offenders and people previously banned from their stores.

Bunnings releases shocking footage of violent incidents to defend facial recognition trials. NZ’s Privacy Commissioner is reviewing Foodstuffs’ use of the tech to address rising retail crime while balancing privacy concerns.

He said that when he kept hearing and seeing footage of his staff “being shouted at, spat on, punched, kicked and threatened with hammers, knives and even shotguns, I take that to heart. Every team member has a life outside Bunnings and we want them to be happy and healthy.

“Whether it’s a 15-year-old girl starting her first job, or our most experienced team members in their 80s or even 90s, no one deserves to face abuse or violence in the workplace – or anywhere else. It’s not just the abuse itself but the deep and lasting emotional and physical impacts that violent and aggressive behaviour has on frontline workers which must be considered,” he wrote.

“That is why Bunnings introduced facial-recognition technology: to identify known repeat offenders and people previously banned from our stores. As has been reported this week, we are seeking a review of the privacy commissioner’s determination that our use of FRT is a breach customers’ privacy.

“We deeply respect the role that the commissioner plays to protect the personal information of everyday Australians. But we disagree on this occasion. We believe we have struck a balance that protects our staff and customers,” he wrote.