Walk into a store, board a flight, log into an account, or browse online. Chances are you may be asked to scan your face. Facial recognition and other biometric tools are rapidly becoming routine ways to prove identity. They’re promoted as fast, seamless and secure, yet they also raise serious concerns about privacy, consent and how personal data is stored, shared and used. The debate becomes even more complex when the technology is applied to children from age-verification online to school attendance, payments and campus access. Unlike a password or card, a face can’t be replaced. Once a...

Retailers across Victoria are facing a noticeable rise in theft, aggression, and in-store incidents, turning what was once an occasional concern into an ongoing challenge for both businesses and shoppers. Recent crime figures show a sharp increase in offences occurring inside retail environments, with theft and physical confrontations among the fastest-growing categories. Compared with the post-pandemic period, the growth has been substantial, adding financial strain and safety risks for retailers already managing economic pressures. This issue extends beyond the retail sector itself....

Why Veesion Gets Strong Praise: What Users Are Saying When you browse Veesion’s Trustpilot reviews, a number of recurring themes come up again and again — and together, they paint a picture of a solution that many retailers value highly. ✅ Theft Deterrence & Real Impact on Losses One reviewer wrote: “Since we installed Veesion in our store, the regular thieves haven’t come back. The system really has a deterrent effect.” Others report meaningful reductions in shrinkage. A common sentiment: suspicious behavior that might have gone unnoticed before is now being...

Migrating to AWS Managed Services has transformed the way our teams work. We’ve achieved significant cost savings, freed up our application teams from operational processes, and directed our focus towards more strategic initiatives.   Read more: https://d1.awsstatic.com/Kmart_Australia_Infographic.pdf

Australia’s retail sector is facing a theft crisis, with new ABS data revealing 595,660 victims of theft in 2024 — the highest in 21 years and a 6% rise from last year. Almost half of all thefts (45%) occurred in retail stores. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the surge reflects what retailers experience daily, describing it as a “full-scale retail crime crisis.” In Victoria alone, thefts spiked by 29% last year. Rodwell is calling for urgent government action, including tougher laws, workplace protection orders, and the adoption of technology like body-worn cameras and facial recognition to...

Retail Theft in Australia Hits 21-Year High Retail theft in Australia has reached crisis levels, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA). The report revealed 595,660 theft victims in 2024 — the highest figure in 21 years and a 6% rise from 2023. Nearly half of all theft cases (45%) happened in retail settings, showing that stores are increasingly being targeted by shoplifters. Retailers Face Growing Shoplifting Surge ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the data reflects what retailers are experiencing daily — a surge...

NSW Police Bust Alleged $80K Supermarket Theft Ring At dawn in Sydney’s west, NSW Police launched a coordinated raid targeting a group accused of stealing more than $80,000 worth of supermarket goods over three months. The alleged syndicate is said to have hit hundreds of Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi stores, taking items like olive oil, coffee, tuna, energy drinks, and Lego to resell on the black market. Police arrested four people during raids in Parramatta and Westmead, including two believed to be the ringleaders. More suspects are being sought. The operation — part of NSW’s statewide...

Victoria has recorded a dramatic surge in crime, with recent figures showing the highest number of reported incidents in over ten years. The steep rise comes despite recent legal reforms aimed at keeping repeat offenders behind bars. In the 12 months to June, nearly half a million criminal offences were logged across the state — a jump of more than 18% compared to the previous year. The overall crime rate now sits at over 6,800 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly outpacing population growth. New bail restrictions, introduced earlier this year, were intended to tighten release...

Victoria is grappling with a significant spike in crime, with the latest data showing the state has recorded its highest number of criminal incidents in more than ten years. Despite recent efforts to toughen bail laws, crime continues to rise—raising questions about the effectiveness of the government’s crackdown. In the year leading up to June 30, more than 483,000 criminal incidents were reported across the state—an increase of over 18% from the previous year. This jump isn’t just a reflection of population growth; the crime rate per 100,000 residents has climbed by more than...

Wesfarmers CEO Calls for Action on Retail Crime and Slams Proposed Business Tax Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has raised alarm over a surge in organised retail crime targeting its major brands — Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline. Speaking on Thursday, Scott said crime syndicates were increasingly stealing high-value items like power tools and tech gadgets, with many ending up on black markets and online marketplaces. In response, Wesfarmers has implemented stronger security and anti-theft measures while lobbying the Victorian government for tougher retail crime laws...

Retail Theft Now a $9 Billion Crisis — And a National Productivity Issue Retailers across Australia are facing an escalating wave of crime, costing the industry an estimated $9 billion annually in stolen goods, damages, and security expenses. Since the pandemic, theft has surged — from organised crime groups and ram raids to violent incidents targeting staff. Major chains are investing in security, but small businesses are struggling to keep up. “Retail crime is a growing national challenge, with rising incidents of theft, aggression, and organised crime affecting the safety and...