Privacy concerns have been raised relating to the Woolworths’ ‘Everyday Rewards’ loyalty card programme.
The programme’s terms and conditions, under a privacy policy link, allow Woolworths to collect a wide range of personal information from its members.
The information includes not only basic details like full names, dates of birth, and phone numbers but also more invasive data such as images, audio recordings, IP addresses, and even licence plate numbers.
Woolworths claims that video and audio recordings are strictly used for security, theft prevention, and safety purposes, while other collected data helps the supermarket understand customer buying habits and preferences.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner told state-subsidised media outlet NZ Herald it was concerned about Woolworths’ data collection practices epecially with an apparent lack of transparency and informed consent.
The Privacy Act requires organisations to be upfront about their data collection methods, and the Commissioner suggested Woolworths could do more to ensure customers are aware of what information is being gathered, as it was important to minimise the collection of personal data and securely dispose of it when no longer needed. There should also be clear signage in stores regarding the use of facial recognition or staff body cameras to alert customers to the fact they are being filmed.
A customer told the NZ Herland of having destroyed her loyalty card upon learning of the extent of data collection, indicating discomfort with the privacy implications. However, a Woolworths spokesperson defended the company’s practices, stating that privacy and data security are taken seriously and that information on data collection is readily available on their website and through FAQs. The spokesperson assured the public the collected data is secure and access is strictly controlled.
Glad I shop mostly at weekend markets and independently owned butchers……I still use the big names but try to keep it to a minimum….
Just another reason to avoid. I would be lucky to go there twice a year max. I make a habit of avoiding CoUNTDOWN ever since they mandated their staff with the Pfizer poison and a neighbour of mine lost her job.
I hope they go broke. Doesn’t surprise me in the least that it’s their chain of supermarkets that had a rodent problem.
Stick with a locally owned store like Pak n Save, New World or 4 square. Or better still get your goods direct from the farmer.
“…an apparent lack of transparency and informed consent.”
Oh, so just another day in NZ then?