NYC Wegmans Is Storing Biometric Data On Shoppers' Eyes, Voices and Faces (gothamist.com) 26
schwit1 shares a report from Gothamist: Wegmans in New York City has begun collecting biometric data from anyone who enters its supermarkets, according to new signage posted at the chain's Manhattan and Brooklyn locations earlier this month. Anyone entering the store could have data on their face, eyes and voices collected and stored by the Rochester-headquartered supermarket chain. The information is used to "protect the safety and security of our patrons and employees," according to the signage. The new scanning policy is an expansion of a 2024 pilot.
The chain had initially said that the scanning system was only for a small group of employees and promised to delete any biometric data it collected from shoppers during the pilot rollout. The new notice makes no such assurances. Wegmans representatives did not reply to questions about how the data would be stored, why it changed its policy or if it would share the data with law enforcement.
The chain had initially said that the scanning system was only for a small group of employees and promised to delete any biometric data it collected from shoppers during the pilot rollout. The new notice makes no such assurances. Wegmans representatives did not reply to questions about how the data would be stored, why it changed its policy or if it would share the data with law enforcement.
Boycot (Score:5, Informative)
Go ahead (Score:5, Interesting)
We gave up the effectiveness of boycotts back when we stopped and forcing antitrust law to elect George Bush Jr.
Once in awhile you can get something like the Bud light catastrophe when you have a specific brand but hilariously people who are boycotting Bud light mostly ended up buying beer from the same company without realizing it because of all the market consolidation.
You can't just stop consuming. At a very least you need food. And there's about seven companies that own everything that you need to live.
And again because of how the stock market works those seven companies are owned by a handful of people.
I don't know what Americans in general traded their freedom for. There are so many reasons why we gave up on having freedom that I'm not going to sit here and list potential reasons just to have somebody say that that's not their personal reason for it.
But the fact of the matter is we consistently surrender freedoms for stupid reasons.
Re: (Score:1)
Death to America! Class war! Divide and Conquer! Us vs Them!
Re:Go ahead (Score:5, Interesting)
Some shops in the UK are using a known broken facial recognition system on shoppers. I'm considering options. I try to avoid those shops, but it is spreading.
Maybe a shirt with a load of random face-like markings? A hat with IR LEDs? The point is not just to screw with their system, it's to make them react so they reveal the use of the system.
Re: (Score:3)
Which shops?! As a fellow Brit, I'd like to know where to avoid. Surely the ICO would say this is not proportionate data collection
Re: (Score:2)
Home Bargains, Sainsbury's, others. They have argued that it is legitimate interest (stopping theft). Our ICO is weak and tends to side with corporations.
Wegman's is privately owned (Score:3)
But that's worse right? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Emotionally, I feel that the appropriate response is to bomb them.
Intellectually, violence could have unintended consequences apart from the personal risk for yourself. The back-lash could lead to an even more inhumane society, spreading the pestilence more.
They said they would delete it... (Score:2)
but they gained some valuable marketing insights in their pants.
WP (Score:1, Funny)
Sorry, but you won't be able to store data on my eyes or face because I've write-protected them, but feel free to write my biometric data onto my voice.
Re: (Score:2)
There's a solution regarding voice, too. Just learn to speak like Tom Waits and use it every time you shop.
Benjamin Franklin would approve? (Score:2)
The information is used to "protect the safety and security of our patrons and employees," according to the signage.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -- Benjamin Franklin
Apparently he meant sort of the same thing [npr.org] as Wegman's here.
Oh yeah? (Score:2)
Fuck that.
Re: (Score:2)
I just went to their web site and sent them a strongly worded message about this privacy raping crap they want to do. If enough people do this maybe they will get the message. If not, fuck them.
Don't spit on their signs (Score:3)
They might store your DNA as well.
Boycott the store (Score:1)
NYC law requires posting the signs (Score:3)
This might be handy for personal injury lawyers (Score:2)
Sounds like they know the store may be dangerous. They are being courteous by saying so upfront.
They just opened a new Wegmans near us (Score:2)
My wife's been wanting to go, but this is "walk in, ask for manager, and ask if they're storing biometric data". If the answer is yes, then we will never go to that store, and I'll let locals know on nextdoor.
That *will* hurt.
ow (Score:1)
Madison Square Garden (Score:1)