Wegmans uses biometric surveillance technology in some grocery stores
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A viral post highlighting biometric surveillance at a Wegmans grocery store in New York City is sparking renewed privacy concerns.
“Biometric identifying information is collected at this location,” reads a sign taped to the door of a Wegmans.
“Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. collects, stores, transforms, stores or shares customers’ biometric identifying information, which may include facial recognition, eye scans and voice recordings,” the sign reads.
MCDONALD’S LOCKS THE DOORS TO KEEP OUT INDIVIDUALS WHO PRESENT A ‘RISK’ TO THE GREATER MINNEAPOLIS AREA WITH CRIME
Wegmans confirmed it collects biometric measurements and said in a statement to Fox News Digital that “the safety of our customers and employees is a top priority.”
The company continued: “Like many retailers, we use cameras to help identify individuals who pose a risk to our employees, customers or operations. We have installed cameras equipped with facial recognition technology in a small number of our high-risk stores.”
Wegmans confirmed to Fox News Digital that it collects customers’ biometric data at at least some of its stores. (iStock)
Wegmans said the technology in New York City fits local needs.
“This technology is used solely to keep our stores safe and secure. The system collects facial recognition data and only uses it to identify individuals who have previously been flagged for misconduct,” Wegmans said. he said.
RESTAURANT LAW WILL PROHIBIT THE USE OF PLASTIC COVERS AND VARIETY PACKS IN MOST CASES FOR ON-SITE MEALS
The Rochester, New York-based grocery chain said it keeps shoppers’ images and videos “for as long as necessary for security purposes” before discarding them.
“We do not disclose the exact storage period for security reasons, but this is consistent with industry standards,” Wegmans said.
“We do not disclose the exact retention period.”
“Persons of interest are identified by our asset protection team based on incidents occurring on our property and on a case-by-case basis, as well as information from law enforcement for criminal or missing persons cases.”
Wegmans said it does not share biometric data with any third parties.
It’s unclear how many stores use facial recognition technology. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Facial recognition technology serves as a clue in the investigation for us. We never base our decisions on a single clue,” the statement concluded. “Our goal is simple: to keep our stores safe.”
It’s unclear how many stores use facial recognition technology.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Wegmans has more than 100 stores in nine states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C., according to its website.
Wegmans has more than 100 locations in nine states and Washington, DC. (John Senter/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Legislator Rachel Barnhart of Monroe County, New York, wrote a letter to Colleen Wegman, the grocery chain’s president and CEO, asking her to publicly disclose whether biometric surveillance is being used at Wegmans stores outside of New York City.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Reports on Wegmans’ New York locations have made clear that biometric surveillance, including facial recognition, is operating in grocery stores where customers have no practical opportunity to provide informed consent or meaningfully opt out,” Barnhart wrote in part in his Jan. 4 letter.
“Without clear and binding limitations, assurances that biometric data is used ‘solely for security’ are inadequate, especially given the increasing reliance of law enforcement and federal immigration on third-party data sources,” he continued.
Barnhart questioned whether the technology would one day be used for dynamic pricing or targeted promotions.
CLICK FOR MORE LIFE STORIES
An “original written response” was requested within 30 days.
On its website, Wegmans describes itself as a “values-based family business” and notes that the company was “founded in Rochester, New York, by brothers Walter and John Wegman.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
He also notes that the company’s story “began in 1916 and has attracted attention by achieving milestones in the supermarket industry ever since.”
