SCANNER SCANDAL — Wegmans Tracks Every Shopper’s Face

Wegmans Food Markets has quietly deployed facial recognition surveillance technology in its New York City stores, scanning shoppers’ faces without their explicit consent while claiming the invasive practice protects against theft.

Story Highlights

Wegmans confirms facial recognition deployment in “elevated risk” stores across multiple states, including Manhattan and Brooklyn locations
Store signage warns customers of biometric data collection including facial scans, eye scans, and voiceprints, contradicting company denials
Privacy advocates warn of constitutional violations and potential misuse by federal agencies like ICE
Technology targets individuals flagged for previous misconduct, raising concerns about wrongful identification and permanent banning

Corporate Surveillance Expands to Grocery Aisles

Wegmans Food Markets confirmed in January 2026 that it operates facial recognition cameras in a “small fraction” of its 114 stores nationwide, marking a significant escalation in retail surveillance. The Rochester-based grocery chain deployed the technology in high-theft locations, including two New York City stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Company officials describe the system as an investigative tool to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct or criminal activity.

Signs posted at affected stores notify customers that Wegmans “collects, retains, converts, stores, or shares biometric identifier information” for safety and security purposes. The disclosure includes facial recognition, eye scans, and voiceprints, though Wegmans representatives deny collecting retinal or voice data. This contradiction between posted warnings and company statements raises questions about the true scope of data collection.

Constitutional Privacy Concerns Mount

Privacy advocates are sounding alarms about the constitutional implications of biometric surveillance in everyday commerce. Daniel Schwarz of the New York Civil Liberties Union argues the technology is “highly erroneous” and violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The system creates permanent digital profiles of law-abiding citizens who simply want to purchase groceries without government-style monitoring.

Will Owen from Surveillance Technology Oversight Project warns that biometric data exposes customers to serious risks, including potential hacking and misuse by federal immigration enforcement. The technology creates a “chilling effect” on vulnerable communities who may avoid shopping at surveilled locations. Unlike traditional security cameras, facial recognition systems track and catalog every customer’s movements, creating detailed behavioral profiles.

Retail Theft Justification Falls Short

Wegmans defends the surveillance program as necessary for combating retail theft and ensuring customer safety. Company statements emphasize that facial recognition serves as just one investigative tool among many, claiming decisions are never based solely on algorithmic matches. The technology allegedly helps asset protection staff and law enforcement identify suspects in criminal cases and locate missing persons.

However, this justification ignores fundamental privacy rights and the potential for abuse. The system essentially treats every customer as a potential criminal, subjecting innocent families to invasive scanning without probable cause. Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart has demanded “meaningful disclosure” about the program’s scope, questioning whether protecting merchandise justifies sacrificing constitutional liberties. The technology represents a dangerous precedent that could normalize surveillance in all aspects of daily life.