It started with a sign at a Wegmans in New York City, and now shoppers here in the Southern Tier are paying attention, asking questions about privacy, transparency, and what we may not even realize is happening when we walk through the doors.
The issue first gained wider attention thanks to reporting by WROC, which highlighted concerns being raised in Rochester and beyond.
A Storefront Notice Raises New Questions for Shoppers
The buzz started after customers noticed a notice posted at the front of a Wegmans store in New York City explaining that certain identity-related technologies were being used inside the store.
According to the sign, tools like facial mapping, eye scanning, and voice analysis may be collected as part of store operations. The stated purpose is safety and security, but for many shoppers, seeing it spelled out so plainly was surprising and, for some, unsettling.
Could This Be Happening at Johnson City Wegmans Too?
That discovery immediately led to a bigger question. If this is happening in New York City, could it also be happening elsewhere in the state, including closer to home? In the Southern Tier, those questions didn’t stay hypothetical…