Notice of 'Facial and Voice Data Collection' at Grocery Stores: "Theft Prevention or Just an Excuse?"

Growing Privacy Concerns Amid Widespread Adoption by Major Retailers
Regulatory Gaps Persist Despite Misidentification and Discrimination Controversies

Major US retailers are introducing facial recognition technology under the pretext of preventing in-store theft, sparking controversies over privacy infringement. As biometric technology rapidly spreads beyond the realms of law enforcement, such as police and immigration authorities, and into everyday consumer spaces, concerns are mounting about technological abuse and the infringement of civil liberties.

Major US retailers are introducing facial recognition technology under the pretext of preventing in-store theft, sparking privacy infringement controversies. Photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

On January 12 (local time), international media including CNN reported that major US supermarket chain Wegmans is facing controversy after recently implementing facial recognition technology at its New York City stores. Wegmans locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn have posted notices at their entrances stating that they collect facial, eye, and voice data. This is in accordance with a law enacted by New York City in 2021, which requires companies to notify customers in advance if they collect or store biometric data. Wegmans explained that the measure is intended to ensure the safety of employees and customers, and clarified that the technology is only used to identify individuals who have previously been classified as engaging in "problematic behavior" at their stores. However, customers have expressed discomfort and resistance, saying they feel like they are being monitored just for going grocery shopping.

Not only Wegmans, but also major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Home Depot have stated in their privacy policies that they may use biometric technologies, including facial recognition. These companies reportedly maintain internal "watch lists" to prevent theft, using the technology to send real-time alerts to employees when individuals on these lists enter the store.

The controversy continues in entertainment venues as well. MSG Entertainment has sparked debates over privacy by operating an "exclusion list" that automatically identifies certain individuals and restricts their entry at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Experts point out that while most large and mid-sized US retailers already utilize biometric technology, ordinary citizens have strong objections to its use.

Facial Recognition for Theft Prevention: Actual Cases of Harm Occur

The problem is that regulations are failing to keep pace with the rapid spread of technology. In 2023, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned that "biometric surveillance technologies are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, threatening privacy and civil rights," but comprehensive federal regulations remain lacking. There have also been actual cases of harm. Pharmacy chain Rite Aid agreed in 2023 to suspend its use of facial recognition technology for five years after it misidentified customers as criminals due to facial recognition errors and was accused of unfairly targeting people of color. Jeremy Scott, an attorney at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), pointed out, "The risk of technological abuse is extremely high in the absence of oversight and transparency."

Expansion to Immigration Enforcement... Growing Concerns Over a 'Surveillance Society'

This controversy is not limited to the private sector. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has introduced a smartphone-based facial recognition app called "Mobile Fortify" to enhance the efficiency of illegal immigrant crackdowns. Enforcement officers can simply take a photo of a suspicious person's face on-site, and the app instantly verifies their identity and immigration status through criminal and immigration databases.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has introduced a smartphone-based facial recognition app called "Mobile Fortify" to enhance the efficiency of illegal immigrant crackdowns. Enforcement officers can simply take a photo of a suspicious person's face on-site, and the app instantly verifies their identity and immigration status through criminal and immigration databases. Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency

The app has already been used more than 100,000 times, and ICE has stated that it does not require the subject's consent before taking photos. During the second Trump administration, ICE received a significant budget increase, and experiments with various biometric technologies, including facial and iris recognition, have become more widespread. Experts warn that as facial recognition technology becomes routinely used across retail stores and government agencies, consumers' right to know and citizens' freedoms are being structurally threatened. Furthermore, while theft prevention and crime deterrence are cited as justifications, there is still a lack of social consensus regarding the technology's accuracy, potential for discrimination, and transparency in data management.