Using facial recognition technology to combat retail crime

Retail NZ is seeking a coordinated and "sector-wide" use of facial recognition technology in a bid to cut down on repeat crime. It says almost all retailers who responded to its latest survey have experienced crime at their businesses in the last year - costing the sector an estimated $2.6b - half of which is stolen goods. Chief Executive Carolyn Young says more businesses are expecting to incorporate AI facial recognition to identify offenders, with supermarket giant Foodstuffs running a trial next month. The Privacy Commissioner, in recent guidelines, stated that the uptake of AI tools `presents some specific challenges for privacy'. Kathryn speaks to Carolyn and privacy legal expert Marcin Betkier, who has penned a report on the legalities and ethics of facial recognition technology.