More Retailers Deploy Facial Recognition to Battle Theft
Should Facial Recognition for Theft Get Another Look?
From Wegman’s in New York City to Sainsbury’s in London — and Foodstuffs North Island in New Zealand — grocers continue to trial facial recognition technologies in the hopes of reducing shoplifting. This comes despite continued outcry around what’s seen as an invasive technology coming from some consumers.

Those employing the technology also cite increased incidents of violence from customers.

In the most upfront test, Sainsbury’s in September rolled out an eight-week facial recognition technology trial at two stores. In a statement prior to the launch, the U.K.’s second largest supermarket chain cited a survey from a major trade union in the U.K. that found 77% of shop workers have experienced verbal abuse — while more than half (53%) were threatened by a customer.

To protect privacy, only those with a record of criminal behavior are flagged, and all other data generated by the software is instantly deleted.

Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s CEO, said, “We understand that facial recognition technology can raise valid questions about data and privacy. This trial and subsequent roll out is not about monitoring colleagues or our valued customers. It’s focused solely on identifying serious offenders who have committed acts of violence, aggression, or theft, helping our teams prevent further harm.”

In New York City, Fairway supermarkets in 2023 began posting signs letting consumers know stores collect or may share biometric information, including eye scans and voiceprints, to combat rising theft levels. Manny Gomez, president of MG Security Services, told CBS News at the time, “This is a step in the right direction, in my opinion. If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to hide.”

Last week, Wegman’s began posting similar signs indicating its two stores in New York City were collecting biometric information “to protect the safety and security of our patrons and employees,” according to Gothamist.   retailwire.com


The Balance Between Local Laws & Crime-Fighting Biometrics
Wegmans Posts Biometric Collection Notices at NYC Store Entrances
Wegmans has posted biometric-collection signage at the entrances of its New York City stores, publicly disclosing the potential use of facial recognition and other biometric technologies for retail security purposes. The notices are consistent with New York City requirements for commercial establishments that collect or use biometric identifier information, bringing a typically opaque loss-prevention technology into public view.

Local reporting indicates that the signage warns customers that biometric data may be collected on the premises. Wegmans told reporters that it may use facial recognition technology and that the data is not shared with third parties. According to the company, the system is used by its asset protection team to identify “persons of interest,” with those determinations informed by internal assessments and information provided by law enforcement.

The disclosures appear to be driven by New York City’s biometric notice regime, which requires businesses that collect, retain, or share biometric identifier information to post clear and conspicuous signage at customer entrances. The city’s administrative code defines biometric identifiers broadly, encompassing facial geometry and other biological characteristics that can be used to identify individuals. The law does not prohibit biometric use outright, but it mandates transparency about collection practices.

For shoppers, the signage makes visible a practice that has become increasingly common in retail security but is rarely disclosed in detail. Facial recognition and related analytics have been adopted by some retailers to address theft and organized retail crime, often operating quietly in the background. New York City’s notice requirements effectively force these deployments into the open, even when no biometric enrollment or opt-in mechanism is involved.  idtechwire.com


Will Crime Rates Continue to Fall Under Mayor Mamdani?
As Mamdani and Tisch tout drops in NYC crime, unclear how their policy differences will play out
As NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Tuesday announced the city just saw its safest year since the department began keeping modern-day crime stats in 1994, Mayor Mamdani, standing by her side, didn’t address how he will fulfill campaign promises to reform policing.

Tisch and Mamdani appeared together at NYPD headquarers at 1 Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan to tout the impressive end-of-year crime stats, which included a 20% drop in homicides compared to the year before.

When asked about the more controversial reforms he has promised, some of which Tisch opposes, like eliminating the NYPD’s gang database and outsourcing many mental health calls to a newly created agency, he deferred to Tisch.

“At this time, there is no change planned to the crime-fighting strategy that has delivered historic results,” Tisch said. “Our crime-fighting strategy in the city is working,” she added, noting that she and Mamdani “continue to meet on issues and crime fighting strategies.”   nydailynews.com


Possible Unrest Coming to Minnesota After ICE Killing?
Walz orders MN National Guard to prep for possible deployment following ICE killing
Gov. Tim Walz issued an order for the Minnesota National Guard to prepare to be deployed if necessary following the killing of a 37-year-old woman by a federal immigration agent Wednesday.

Dozens of members of the State Patrol’s response team have also been activated to respond to possible unrest, Walz said at a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center.

Walz’s quick action is no doubt informed by his response to the uprising following the police murder of George Floyd in 2020, when critics said he was slow to marshal the state’s resources to restore order amid burning and looting, including of a Minneapolis police precinct.

An ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, through her car window in south Minneapolis. Videos of the Wednesday incident show the woman beginning to drive away from the officer as he shot into the car. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said they have yet to see information indicating that the shooting was justified, though the Trump administration is accusing the deceased driver of “domestic terrorism.” minnesotareformer.com


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