Australia’s privacy regulator is investigating the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) use of the retail surveillance platform Auror. 

The move comes after concerns were raised about the privacy impact of its deployment, particularly with regard to the absence of privacy and cybersecurity reviews.

The AFP reportedly suspended the use of Auror following an investigation by media outlet Crikey, which found that over 100 AFP staff, mainly from the ACT policing division, were utilising the platform without appropriate privacy assessments.

Auror has allegedly been deployed in around 40 per cent of Australian stores, including major retailers like Woolworths and Coles. 

The platform enables users to report incidents, share CCTV footage, track vehicle movements, and even predict crime hotspots, according to the company.

A spokesperson for the OAIC says the privacy office is actively gathering information as part of its preliminary inquiries and would be engaging with various parties involved.

More details are accessible here.