Revealed: Supermarkets in NZ using facial recognition tech

Inquiries about a Dunedin man mistakenly identified as a shoplifter at a New World outlet has revealed that New Zealand’s largest supermarket company has rolled out facial recognition CCTV technology in some of its North Island stores.

The man was allegedly mistakenly identified due to human error and Foodstuffs NZ claimed facial recognition was not used in the South Island. However, the Otago Daily Times reports a different security system that “bridges the gap between businesses and the Police” is now used at the Centre City New World in Dunedin, among other South Island stores. Dunedin mechanic Daniel Ryan said he was recently taken aside by staff shortly after entering the Centre City New World in Great King Street, owned by Foodstuffs. He said he was taken into a side room and questioned by staff, who said he had been identified as a known shoplifter.

Mr Ryan said the staff then realised he had been misidentified and he received an apology from the company. While he said he appreciated the apology, the experience left him feeling humiliated.

“It’s quite bruising to be shuffled off to the side.”

Foodstuffs head of external relations Antoinette Laird said “human error” had led to Mr Ryan being mistakenly identified as a shoplifter. When asked if Centre City New World was using a facial recognition surveillance system, Ms Laird said the technology was used in some of its stores, but none in Dunedin.