Cyber expert David Tuffley claims people would be shocked at the extent of surveillance used by companies

An expert says people would be shocked if they knew the extent of surveillance across Brisbane, as the Star Casino reveals its state-of-the-art facial recognition technology.

Griffith University lecturer David Tuffley said people would be shocked if they knew of the true extent of surveillance.

The facial data and details of anyone heading into Brisbane’s CBD are likely to be captured more than 400 times including at the new Star Casino which uses state-of-the-art technology.

While Brisbane City Council claims not to use facial recognition, it operates more than 3750 surveillance cameras, with hundreds more on all forms of public transport.

Griffith University senior lecturer in cyber technology David Tuffley said people would be shocked if they knew the true extent of surveillance with many companies using facial recognition shying away from publicising the fact.

Griffith University senior lecturer in cyber technology Dr David Tuffley. Picture: contributed

“Most people do not realise how prevalent it is with Brisbane City Council operating more than 3750 cameras … it allows for the quick identification of individuals, including those with outstanding arrest warrants,” he said.

“It works alongside the Police Department’s Q-Face, which compares live footage against a database of millions of images.”

Any trip into Brisbane’s CBD is likely to capture a person’s facial data and details more than 400 times.

It comes after the new casino used state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to bar a woman for five years after she voluntarily registered as a problematic gambler.

The woman, who cannot be named for privacy reasons, was ejected and banned from Star Casino, two weeks after she registered to be excluded.

Her ejection came less than a month after the Brisbane venue opened on August 29 and days before the embattled Star Entertainment secured a crucial lifeline debt package.

Signs at the Star Casino in Brisbane clearly warn punters they are being photographed for facial recognition. Picture: Contributed

Punters are warned at the entry that the specialised cameras are positioned throughout the venue with the ability to match a person’s face to their ID, and automatically alert security guards often before patrons get to gaming tables.

Under the Casino Control Act, Star Casino is one of the few venues in Brisbane permitted to use biometric data for security purposes.

The casino’s privacy policy states that personal information, including sensitive data such as race and health, is collected to monitor and maintain safety.

“Sometimes, we are required to share information with government regulators or law enforcement,” Star said.

“This may include information obtained about a person from audio recordings and from CCTV or facial recognition surveillance when they visit our premises, such as their voice, image or facial biometric information.

“It may also include your name, contact details, date of birth, copies of a person’s photo ID, other images of them and information about any exclusion or other restriction on access to premises.”

Facial recognition is active through Brisbane and at the airport. Picture: Brisbane Airport

Star head of media Karryn Whelans said the casino technology was similar to face identification used to unlock smart phones.

“The Brisbane casino has only been open a month – so all the technology is state-of-the-art,” Ms Whelans said.

“We are not hiding anything as there are signs all over the precinct and as soon as you enter.”

Dr Tuffley cautioned about the risks of data breaches, emphasising that while the technology is reliable, misuse could lead to significant privacy violations.

Retail chains such as Bunnings and 7-Eleven have distanced themselves from facial recognition amid consumer backlash, with Bunnings pausing its use in 2022 after public scrutiny.

New state laws set to take effect next July aim to enhance protections for personal information, requiring organisations to notify affected individuals if data is compromised.

The wording of the sign at Brisbane’s Star casino. Picture: Contributed

Dr Tuffley said the changes would help mitigate risks.

“A balance must be struck between security needs and individual privacy.”

Federal Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind warned about the implications of emerging biometric technologies in May.

“Public sentiment shows significant discomfort with the technology for profiling and predicting behaviour,” she stated.

The Office of Australian Information Commission has issued determinations outlining expectations for facial recognition, advocating for a “privacy by design” approach to ensure transparency and secure handling of personal data.

Originally published as Cyber expert David Tuffley claims people would be shocked at the extent of surveillance used by companies