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Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Bunnings Group Limited

November 19, 2024 · Australia

The Privacy Commissioner found Bunnings breached the Privacy Act by capturing the faces of hundreds of thousands of customers via facial-recognition CCTV across 63 stores without consent, and ordered it to cease the practice.

Key takeaway — how to prevent this

Biometric data (faces, iris, fingerprints) needs an explicit lawful basis or consent. Scraping or capturing it without one is unlawful across the EU/UK and many US states (e.g. Illinois BIPA) — and draws the largest fines.

Inclusion does not imply wrongdoing or liability. Status reflects the latest information we have — always check the official source for current status.