NZ Grocery Chain Says FRT Prevented 130 Serious Incidents

A six-month trial of facial recognition technology at 25 Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets in New Zealand has yielded positive early results, with the company reporting a reduction in crime and incidents of physical and verbal assaults.

According to Foodstuffs, the technology, which was trialed at New World and Pak’nSave stores, has prevented 130 serious incidents, leading to improved safety for both customers and staff. The company attributes this success to the technology’s ability to identify repeat offenders and deter them from entering the stores.

Throughout the trial, 1,747 alerts were generated, with store staff responding in various ways. In just under half of the cases, the identified individuals were asked to leave, while in other cases, store employees either observed the individuals or took no action. Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quin emphasized that the technology enhanced staff awareness, enabling them to handle potential security threats more effectively.

Quin asserted that the trial stores became approximately 40 percent better at recognizing individuals who had been previously trespassed.

Despite the promising results, the trial has not been without controversy. One well-publicized incident involved a Māori woman who was misidentified as a trespassed individual, leading to her being wrongfully asked to leave a store. This case has raised concerns about the accuracy of facial recognition technology, particularly with respect to potential biases. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster, who has been closely monitoring the trial, expressed concerns that the technology may disproportionately impact minority groups, such as Māori, Pasifika, Indian, and Asian customers.

Foodstuffs has stated that it is committed to addressing these concerns, working closely with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to ensure compliance with New Zealand’s privacy laws. The company has also highlighted that nine out of ten customers surveyed at trial stores expressed no objections to the use of facial recognition technology. Despite these reassurances, Privacy Commissioner Webster has called for further investigation into the potential risks and biases associated with the technology.

The results of the trial are currently being independently evaluated, with reports expected later this year from research firm Scarlatti and the Privacy Commissioner. Until the final evaluation is complete, Foodstuffs plans to continue using the technology in the trial stores. Quin emphasized that while the trial has shown positive outcomes in reducing harm, the final decision on the future use of facial recognition technology will be based on the findings of these reports.

Sources: 1 News, RNZ, The New Zealand Herald

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September 25, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith