Wegmans, the popular supermarket chain, has quietly introduced facial recognition technology in some of its stores, collecting biometric data from shoppers and raising privacy concerns. The system, described by the company as a safety measure for stores with an “elevated risk,” uses cameras to scan faces and store information. Signs at New York City store entrances announce the surveillance, but many customers say they were unaware or caught off guard.
Shopper Deborah Tozzi expressed alarm, telling The Independent: “Why are they watching me? … Where would they send my face? It could end up anywhere, all over the world.” Another customer wrote on X: “When buying groceries turns into a biometric scan, the line has already been crossed. This isn’t about security, it’s about normalising surveillance until it feels inevitable.”
Wegmans insists the data is never shared with third parties and is used solely to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct. A spokesperson said: “We do not collect other biometric data such as retinal scans or voice prints. Images and video are retained only as long as necessary for security purposes and then disposed of.” The company added that the technology is used on a “case-by-case basis” in line with decisions by its asset protection team.
Some shoppers were unsurprised by the move, citing the growing prevalence of similar technology in airports, convenience stores, and concert venues. Customer Sam Federman said: “It’s happening in so many places that it’s hard to get worked up about it at this point.” Another shopper, Charles Gepp, joked: “I think I’m going to stop stealing the odd jalapeño.”
Uber driver Ibrahim Hamagou, who often picks up groceries at Wegmans, welcomed the system as a deterrent against shoplifting. However, critics argue it normalises surveillance and infringes on privacy rights. One X user declared: “It’s a violation of our privacy rights!!! … I won’t be shopping there ever!!!!”
