Facial recognition inside some Wegmans stores has sparked alarms from lawmakers and cybersecurity experts, according to RochesterFirst.
Wegmans confirmed it uses the technology in a limited number of higher-risk locations to flag people tied to past misconduct. The company said it doesn’t collect voiceprints or retinal scans and keeps images only as long as security needs require.
State Sen. Jeremy Cooney said the issue reaches beyond one retailer and called for clear rules so shoppers feel protected. Experts at Rochester Institute of Technology warned biometric data can’t be replaced if stolen, unlike passwords or credit cards.
Recent federal penalties against other retailers highlight the growing stakes.
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