Photo: Wegmans
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — If you think someone is watching you in Wegmans, you might be right.
According to their website, the grocery store chain says it has implemented facial recognition cameras "to help identify individuals who pose a risk to our people, customers, or operation." The retailers faced backlash after two New York City Wegmans locations posted signage to alert customers of the changes, as required by law in New York City. Some locals are concerned that the technology could make its way to the Bay State.
"Big brothers everywhere. My car, in the stores," one resident said.
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The chain claims the changes are only meant to keep stores safe and secure and only uses the data to "identify individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct." The topic of retailers collecting biometric data — everything from facial features to iris patterns and fingerprints from customers — has received a lot of attention, with some residents feeling like they have no say in the matter.
"We can't do nothing about it," another resident stated.
While the retailer says they are only using the technology in a small fraction of stores that exhibit elevated risk, like New York City, the move has some in Massachusetts wondering if their local Wegmans might eventually attempt to adopt the same practices. The State Senate unanimously passed data privacy legislation last fall, which is now being considered by the House.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.