What happened

Bunnings deployed facial recognition technology via CCTV cameras in 62 stores across Victoria and New South Wales between November 2018 and November 2021.

The system captured facial images of all individuals entering these stores, processing them to create biometric profiles. 

Bunnings claimed this was to identify "known and repeat offenders" and reduce theft and violence.

Why it happened

Australia's Privacy Commissioner ruled that Bunnings' use of facial recognition was disproportionate and unnecessarily intrusive. 

The regulator also said  that the company had failed to adequately notify customers about the use of facial recognition, obtain consent for collecting sensitive biometric data, and implement proper privacy compliance practices.