Foodstuff's introduction of facial recognition technology —with the hope of reducing repeat criminal offenders— has the Privacy Commissioner concerned. 

The grocery chain is trialling facial scanning in its North Island stores across the next six months. 

Commissioner Michael Webster told Kerre Woodham that facial recognition isn't a proven tool to reduce harmful behaviour in supermarkets. 

He says it could be even riskier, as the technology could provide people with a false sense of security. 

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• 'We wouldn’t accept being fingerprinted': Concerns over supermarket facial recognition trial