Wegmans expands biometric surveillance in NYC stores, collecting facial, eye and voice data
By lauraharris // 2026-01-11
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  • Wegmans is now collecting facial recognition, eye scans and voice data from shoppers at its Manhattan and Brooklyn stores, as part of a security program targeting "persons of interest."
  • The grocery chain says cameras with facial recognition are used only in a small number of high-risk locations and solely for security purposes, with data accessible only to select employees, third-party providers and law enforcement.
  • The company has not disclosed how long biometric data is stored and clarified that other biometrics, like retinal scans or voice prints, are not being collected despite signage suggesting otherwise.
  • Shoppers expressed discomfort, citing worries about surveillance and potential misidentification. Privacy advocates warn that stored biometric data could put customers, especially immigrants, at risk of exposure to law enforcement agencies like ICE.
  • A 2021 city law requires businesses to post notices about biometric collection, but enforcement is limited, and a 2023 City Council proposal to restrict such systems has stalled, leaving few legal protections for affected customers.
Customers entering Wegmans stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn are now being monitored in new ways, as the grocery chain has begun collecting biometric data, including facial recognition, eye scans and voice prints. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, biometric data refers to unique physiological or behavioral characteristics that can be measured and analyzed to verify or identify individuals. This includes fingerprints, facial geometry, iris patterns, voiceprints, DNA, gait analysis and even vein mapping. Unlike passwords or ID cards, biometric markers are inherently tied to the human body, making them nearly impossible to replicate or discard – a feature governments and corporations exploit for surveillance and control. Tracy Van Auker, a Wegmans spokesperson, told media outlets on Monday, Jan. 5, that cameras with facial recognition technology are being used only in a "small fraction of stores that exhibit an elevated risk." She emphasized that the technology is used solely for security purposes. "The system collects facial recognition data and only uses it to identify individuals who have been previously flagged for misconduct," Van Auker said. "These 'persons of interest' are determined on a case-by-case basis by store security and law enforcement for criminal or missing persons cases." The company stated that the data is stored "for as long as necessary for security reasons," but did not specify a retention period. According to Wegmans' privacy policy, the information is accessible only to a limited number of employees, third-party service provides and law enforcement personnel engaged in security tasks. The company said the data is not shared, leased or exchanged for profit. Van Auker also clarified that stores are not collecting other biometric data, such as retinal scans or voice prints, despite what the New York City signage implies. She added that the company does not disclose specific security measures used at individual stores for safety reasons. Wegmans did not directly answer whether similar biometric technology is in use at its Central New York locations.

Shoppers and privacy advocates fear Wegmans' biometric scans in NYC stores

Shoppers expressed concern over the new program. Johnny Jerido, 59, said he would take his business elsewhere. "I really don't like it. I don't want anyone to think I'm stealing anything or doing anything illegal," he said. Blaze Herbas, 29, echoed his worries, adding, "We should be able to shop freely without data being saved on us. That's obvious." In 2023, City Councilmember Shahana Hanif introduced a bill to restrict such systems after Madison Square Garden used facial recognition to identify and remove attorneys involved in litigation against the company. The measure has stalled, and other supermarkets, including Fairway, already employ similar technology. However, Hanif did not respond to requests for comment on Wegmans' expansion. Additionally, a 2021 city law requires businesses to post notices if they collect biometric data, but enforcement is limited. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection confirmed it has no mechanism to penalize companies that fail to comply, leaving individuals to pursue legal action themselves. In line with this, privacy advocates could only warn that storing biometric data could put customers at risk, particularly immigrant New Yorkers. "It's really chilling that immigrant New Yorkers going into Wegmans and other grocery stores have to worry about their highly sensitive biometric data potentially getting into the hands of ICE," Will Owen of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project said. Watch the video from "The Breanna Morello Show" about government agencies caught lying about the facial recognition program.
This video is from MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ReclaimtheNet.org Gothamist.com NewYorkUpstate.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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