Shoppers question biometric data collection at Brooklyn Wegmans
Wegmans described the technology as a theft prevention tool and said the information is not shared with third parties.
Shoppers at the Clinton Hill Wegmans are raising concerns after new signs appeared this week stating that the store may collect and store biometric information, including facial images and voice recordings.
The signs inform customers that their face, voice print and eye scans may be tracked as part of the store’s safety measures.
But in a statement to News 12, Wegmans contradicted portions of its own signage. The company said it does not track retinal scans or voice prints and declined to say how long any collected data is stored, citing safety reasons.
Wegmans described the technology as a theft prevention tool and said the information is not shared with third parties.
Reactions among shoppers were mixed.
“That is not cool. I do not consent to my face being shown like that,” said Marissa, a Wegmans customer.
Another shopper, Debbie, said she was less concerned but still uneasy about the idea of her information being stored.
“I feel like if I am innocent I really do not care. But I do not want my face sitting in a database, my face my voice, things like that, not at all,” she said.
Lawmakers are also weighing in.
New Yorkers should not have to worry about their biometric data being collected, stored, and possibly shared while they go about their everyday life tasks," said New York state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez.
She says she is looking to introduce legislation that would limit the use of this technology across New York State.
However, Wegmans is not the first store to use the technology, as the chairman of the Bodega Association testified in front of New York City Council, saying he encourages members to install the technology to protect the businesses and customers in the event of crime.
