Consumer and grower groups have raised concerns about the amount of consumer data being collected by Coles and Woolworths.A Senate inquiry into the supermarkets is being urged to look at how big data is used and its impact on Australian businesses.
But critics have raised concerns the massive amount of data being collected is helping further expand the power the two supermarket giants have in Australia.Coles and Woolworths operate the Flybuys and Everyday Rewards loyalty schemes respectively. CEO Rachel Chambers said the data, combined with the use of supply agreements with growers, allowed supermarkets to control the supply and demand of fresh produce.
Ms Chambers said she believed many people were unaware their data was contributing to such a power imbalance."The data asymmetry, the power imbalance, sits within the data." Dr Munn said he believed the trend showed the supermarkets were acting more like tech companies with an emphasis on cutting costs.
"The privacy policies use vague terms such as data partners or business partners that make it difficult for consumers to know who their information is actually being shared with," Ms Bower said.