Wegmans Food Markets has quietly expanded its use of biometric surveillance at its New York City grocery stores, a move that is now drawing sharp criticism from shoppers and privacy advocates. New signs posted at Wegmans locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn inform customers that biometric data may be collected as soon as they enter the store.
According to the signage, the Rochester-based supermarket chain may capture information related to customers’ faces, eyes, and voices. Wegmans says the technology is used to “protect the safety and security of our patrons and employees.” However, the lack of detail surrounding how the data is stored, used, or shared has raised alarms among those who say grocery shopping should not come with digital surveillance.
The notices appeared earlier this month and mark a notable expansion of a biometric program that the company previously described as limited.
Shift From Employee Pilot to Customer-Wide Monitoring
Wegmans first acknowledged using biometric technology in 2024, when it launched a pilot program it said was focused on a small group of employees. At the time, the company assured the public that any biometric information inadvertently collected from shoppers during that pilot would be deleted.
The updated signage now visible in New York City stores does not include any such assurances. Instead, it broadly states that biometric data collection may occur for anyone entering the premises, with no explanation of retention timelines, deletion policies, or safeguards.
The change has prompted questions about why the company broadened the program and whether customers’ biometric information could be accessed by third parties. Wegmans did not respond to requests seeking clarification on how the data is stored, whether it is encrypted, or if it could be shared with law enforcement agencies.
Shoppers Say Surveillance Changes the Shopping Experience
For some customers, the revelation has fundamentally altered their relationship with the grocery chain. Johnny Jerido, 59, said learning about the biometric scanning system made him uncomfortable enough to consider shopping elsewhere.
“I really don’t like it,” Jerido said. “I don’t want no one to think I’m stealing anything or doing anything illegal.”
Other shoppers echoed similar concerns, arguing that everyday activities like buying groceries should not involve the collection of deeply personal data. Blaze Herbas, 29, said she has shopped at Wegmans but plans to avoid the store going forward.
“We should be able to shop freely without data being saved on us. That’s obvious,” she said.
Critics say such systems can create a chilling effect, particularly for people who already feel vulnerable to scrutiny or profiling.
Biometric Surveillance Faces Growing Scrutiny in New York City
Wegmans’ policy arrives amid a broader citywide debate over the use of biometric technology by private businesses. In 2023, members of the New York City Council introduced legislation aimed at restricting or banning biometric surveillance in commercial spaces.
The proposal gained momentum after a controversial incident at Madison Square Garden, where facial recognition technology was used to identify and eject two attorneys whose firms were involved in litigation against the company. The episode triggered public outrage and renewed calls for limits on the use of facial recognition systems.
Despite the attention, the bill has stalled and has not advanced through the City Council. Councilmember Shahana Hanif, the primary sponsor of the legislation, did not respond to requests for comment regarding Wegmans’ expanded biometric practices.
Current Laws Require Disclosure, Not Consent
Under a New York City law enacted in 2021, businesses that collect biometric data are required to post signage notifying customers of the practice. Wegmans appears to be complying with that requirement through its newly installed notices.
However, the law stops short of requiring companies to obtain customer consent before collecting biometric data. It also does not clearly limit how long such data can be retained or how it can be used.
Enforcement is another weak point. A spokesperson for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the agency responsible for implementing the law, said there is no enforcement mechanism for businesses that fail to comply. Customers who believe their rights have been violated must pursue legal action on their own.
It is also unclear how widespread biometric surveillance has become across the city’s retail sector. While Wegmans has drawn attention, other grocery chains, including Fairway, already use similar systems, often without prominent public discussion.
Privacy Advocates Warn of Serious Risks
Privacy experts argue that biometric data presents unique dangers because it cannot be changed if compromised. Unlike passwords or credit card numbers, biometric identifiers are permanently tied to an individual.
Will Owen, a privacy advocate with the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, warned that storing such information could expose customers to risks beyond retail security.
“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,” Owen said.
Advocates caution that even when companies claim the data is collected solely for security purposes, the creation of large biometric databases increases the risk of hacking, misuse, or government access.
