Wegmans uses biometric surveillance technology in some grocery stores

A viral submit highlighting biometric surveillance at a Wegmans grocery store in New York Metropolis is sparking renewed privateness issues.

“Biometric identification data collected at this location,” reads an indication on the door of a Wegmans.

“Wegmans Meals Markets, Inc. collects, shops, converts, shops or shares clients’ biometric identification data, which can embody facial recognition, eye scans and voiceprints,” the signal stated.

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Wegmans confirmed it’s amassing the biometric information and instructed Fox Information Digital in an announcement that “the security of our clients and associates is a prime precedence.”

The corporate continued: “Like many retailers, we use cameras to assist determine people who pose a danger to our folks, clients or operations. In a small portion of our high-risk shops, we’ve deployed cameras geared up with facial recognition know-how.”

Wegmans confirmed to Fox Information Digital that it’s amassing biometric information from clients in a minimum of a few of its shops. (Howard Schnapp/RM by way of Getty Pictures)

Wegmans stated the know-how in New York Metropolis meets native necessities.

“This know-how is used solely to maintain our shops protected. The system collects facial recognition information and makes use of it solely to determine people who’ve beforehand been flagged for misconduct,” Wegmans stated.

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The Rochester, New York-based grocery chain stated it retains buyer pictures and movies “so long as mandatory for safety functions” earlier than throwing them away.

“For safety causes, we aren’t disclosing the precise retention interval, however it’s per business requirements,” Wegmans stated.

“We don’t disclose the precise retention interval.”

“Individuals of curiosity are decided by our asset safety workforce primarily based on incidents that happen on our premises and on a case-by-case foundation, primarily based on data from legislation enforcement companies for crime or lacking individuals circumstances.”

Wegmans stated it doesn’t share biometric information with third events.

It’s unclear what number of shops are utilizing facial recognition know-how. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures)

“Facial recognition know-how serves as a single lead for us. We by no means base our choices on a single clue alone,” the assertion concluded. “Our purpose is easy: maintain our shops protected.”

It’s unclear what number of shops use facial recognition know-how.

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Wegmans has greater than 100 shops in 9 states — Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia — plus Washington, DC, in accordance with its web site.

Wegmans has greater than 100 places in 9 states and Washington, DC (John Senter/UCG/Common Pictures Group by way of Getty Pictures)

Lawmaker Rachel Barnhart of Monroe County, New York, wrote a letter to Colleen Wegman, president and CEO of the grocery store chain, asking her to publicly state whether or not biometric surveillance is utilized in Wegmans shops outdoors New York Metropolis.

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“Reporting on Wegmans places in NYC has made clear that biometric surveillance – together with facial recognition – is lively in grocery shops the place clients haven’t any sensible alternative to offer knowledgeable consent or choose out in a significant manner,” Barnhart wrote partly in her January 4 letter.

“With out specific, binding limits, assurances that biometric information is used ‘for safety solely’ are inadequate – ​​particularly given legislation enforcement and federal immigration’s rising reliance on third-party information sources,” she continued.

Barnhart questioned if the know-how will ever be used for dynamic pricing or focused promotions.

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A “substantive written response” was requested inside 30 days.

Wegmans describes itself on its web site as “a values-based, family-owned enterprise” and notes that it was “based by brothers Walter and John Wegman in Rochester, New York.”

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The corporate’s story, it additionally says, “started in 1916, and since then we’ve achieved milestones and gained consideration within the grocery business.”