Some Wegmans grocery stores have begun using facial recognition technology on their shoppers, the company announced. The Rochester, New York–based grocery chain has 15 locations in Virginia.
Earlier this month, shoppers noticed signs posted in Manhattan and Brooklyn stores. The notices alerted shoppers that “biometric identifier information” was collected at those locations, Gothamist reported.
Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act says biometric data is “data generated by automatic measurements of an individual’s biological characteristics, such as a fingerprint, voiceprint, eye retinas, irises, or other unique biological patterns or characteristics that is used to identify a specific individual.”
Wegmans Statement on the Issue
Wegmans released a statement on its biometric data policy. “In a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk, we have deployed cameras equipped with facial recognition technology,” it said.
The statement continued to say that these cameras are “solely used for keeping our stores secure and safe.” The system uses stored facial recognition data to identify people who have “previously been flagged for misconduct.” Those persons of interest are determined by the company’s asset protection team and “on a case-by-case basis” based on information from law enforcement.
Wegmans denied collecting any other forms of biometric data, including retinal scans or voice prints. The company did not disclose how long information is stored. It said, “images and videos are retained only as long as necessary for security purposes and then disposed of.” The company says the retention period “aligns with industry standards.”
Wegmans said it does not share facial recognition data with any third party. The statement did not say how many stores used facial recognition, nor did it name any specific locations.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
