In most busy public places, CCTV cameras are so common that you're almost certain to spot one, even if you hardly notice them anymore.But would you feel differently if those cameras weren't just passively capturing footage, but were actively scanning and identifying you?Bunnings has won a legal battle to use AI facial recognition in its stores to combat retail crime and reduce staff abuse, overturning a 2024 ruling that found it breached privacy laws by scanning customers' faces without their proper consent.So is facial recognition simply the price we pay for greater safety or convenience? Or should we be taking a harder look at the risks this kind of surveillance poses?Guest: Joanne Orlando, researcher in digital wellbeing at Western Sydney University and author of Generation ConnectedStatement from a Bunnings spokesperson:"The safety of our team, customers and suppliers has always been our highest priority."Between November 2018 and November 2021, we trialled the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in 63 stores across Victoria and New South Wales."The technology was used for the sole purpose of keeping our team and customers safe and preventing unlawful activity by repeat offenders. There were strict controls around its use. At no stage was the technology used to track customer shopping habits, or to build a marketing profile on individuals to be shared to third parties. "Unless there was a match to a person known to or banned from stores for abusive, violent behaviour or committing a crime, data was deleted in less than a blink of an eye."We welcome the decision from the Administrative Review Tribunal finding our use of FRT to be lawful and which recognised the need for practical, common-sense steps to keep people safe."Every day we work hard to earn the trust of our team, customers and suppliers. Keeping people safe in and around our stores is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we remain committed to engaging constructively on how safety and privacy are balanced in the future."CreditsMax Rowley, ProducerImage DetailsUnlike passwords, biometric data can’t simply be reset or replaced if it’s compromised.(Getty Images: gorodenkoff)Program:More from Life MattersSurveillance, Crime Prevention, Identification Technology, AI Appears In Escaping the supermarket duopoly and turning your hobby into a serious leisure pursuitDuration: 53 minutes 47 seconds53m 3 itemsIn this episode1 of 3Can we really avoid the supermarket giants?Duration: 19 minutes 9 seconds19m 2 of 3Why you should take your leisure time seriouslyDuration: 16 minutes 6 seconds16m 3 of 3PlayingShould stores be allowed to scan your face?Duration: 12 minutes 56 seconds12m