Foodstuffs maintains it is continuously improving data processes
A security guard at Pak'nSave has been terminated for leaking a photograph of former MP Golriz Ghahraman, who was accused of shoplifting at the Royal Oak store, according to reports.
Foodstuffs North Island, which operates the Pak'nSave brand, admitted that the image, taken as part of standard security protocols after the suspected shoplifting incident, was passed on to a third party without authorisation.
In a statement to Ghahraman, Foodstuffs North Island general counsel Julian Benefield expressed deep disappointment over the breach.
"The store is deeply disappointed by the third-party subcontractor's unauthorised disclosure and the store apologises to you for it," Benefield wrote, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Ghahraman was stopped and questioned by security at the Pak'nSave Royal Oak in October 2024. The photo was captured as part of the store's procedure during the questioning.
However, the unauthorised disclosure of the image became public when it appeared in a text message that circulated online, leading Foodstuffs to investigate the leak.
Ghahraman has expressed frustration with the company's response, calling it an "extremely limited admission."
"Sharing images of their customers without their knowledge or consent is a breach of the law and our fair expectation of privacy," she said, as quoted by the Herald.
Ghahraman also highlighted the risks posed by the use of surveillance footage by large corporations and police, particularly for marginalised groups.
"For women, queer, and brown peoples, knowing thousands of people across unknown entities have access to our footage, information about what intimate items we buy, who we’re with, when and where – is truly not okay," she said.
According to the report, Ghahraman is seeking legal advice and is waiting for further information she had sought in relation to the leak.
Meanwhile, a Foodstuffs spokesperson defended the company's use of surveillance measures, acknowledging that the images from the Auror system are sometimes shared with police to assist with investigations.
"Each year, our North Island store teams experience around 20,000 incidents of retail crime. Each day supermarket workers are spat at, abused, and assaulted and too often our staff go home traumatised," the spokesperson told Stuff.
"We wish security measures weren't necessary - but the reality is that keeping our people and customers safe is a responsibility we take seriously."
The spokesperson added they are taking the privacy of their customers extremely seriously and are continuously improving their data security processes.
"When issues arise, we act promptly to ensure that they are addressed and that we meet our legal obligations," the spokesperson said.
