NYC NOW NYC Lawmakers Weigh Ban on Biometric Data Collection in Retail Stores
Mar 11, 2026
Liam Quigley, WNYC/Gothamist reporter who uncovered Wegmans’ biometric notices, breaks down where and how stores use facial and voice scans. He explains the proposed city ban, why rules lag behind tech, and shopper privacy fears. Short, timely reporting on surveillance in everyday places.
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City Council Considering Broad Biometric Ban
- New York City council is considering a ban on businesses collecting biometric identifiers like facial and voice scans.
- Liam Quigley reported Wegmans posted signs saying some NYC stores collect faces, eyes, and voices, prompting the legislative push.
Wegmans Frames Use Of Biometrics As Safety Measure
- Wegmans told Liam the technology is for safety at a select set of higher-risk stores and that they don't sell the data.
- They said data is kept only as needed for safety investigations and possible criminal or missing-person cases.
Notice Requirements Exist But Few Guardrails
- Current NYC rules require notice when businesses download images or biometrics but lack stricter guardrails like forbidding collection.
- Concerns include sharing with law enforcement, adding people to banned lists, and indefinite storage.