10 Apr 2024

Onus on businesses to prove need to collect personal data

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 10 April 2024
Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council Michael Webster reads the commission signed by the Queen, appointing Dame Cindy Kiro as Governor General

Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

The Privacy Commissioner wants businesses collecting biometric information to have to prove the benefits of doing so outweigh the privacy risks.

It's one of several proposed rules the commissioner's office is releasing this morning as it grapples with the increasing use of tools like facial recognition technology in stores.

Other rules the commissioner wants would require parties collecting biometric data to disclose to individuals they are doing so and that biometric information is not used outside of the reason it was gathered.

Retail NZ has called for a widespread, coordinated roll out of facial recognition technology to cut down on retail crime.

Foodstuffs is holding a major trial of the technology in its North Island supermarkets.

The Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster talks to Kathryn about the draft rules, while Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young gives her reaction to them.