# Alarm raised over ‘privacy dilemma’ as Coles and Woolworths test facial recognition

https://mins.news/en/item/24297

- The Guardian, 2026-08-17 15:00 UTC
- Tech
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/18/concerns-security-privacy-facial-recognition-technology-coles-woolworths

> Coles and Woolworths have confirmed testing facial recognition technology and are considering using it in Australian stores to tackle retail crime, including aggression toward staff. Privacy advocates warn the technology could normalise surveillance, while raising concerns about biometric-data control and inaccurate identification.