Posted on 09/28/2022 3:38:46 PM PDT by Right Wing Vegan
A class action complaint was filed earlier this month against Walmart, alleging the retail giant violated Illinois' Biometric Privacy Act by improperly using "cameras and advanced video surveillance systems."
James Luthe, an Illinois resident, filed the suit on Sept. 1, alleging that the store's video surveillance obtains biometric data of its customers.
"Walmart stores in Illinois are outfitted with cameras and advanced video surveillance systems that -- unbeknownst to customers -- surreptitiously collect, possess, or otherwise obtain Biometric Data," the complaint reads. "Walmart does not notify customers of this fact prior to store entry, nor does it obtain consent prior to collecting its customers Biometric Data."
The legislation the lawsuit is filed under is the same law behind several other recent class action settlements, which previously have targeted social media platforms.
Notably, a $650 million class action settlement was reached with Facebook, resulting in hundreds of dollars being paid out to more than a million Illinois residents.
The lawsuit also alleges that Walmart does not notify customers that it uses Clearview artificial intelligence facial recognition software that scans and stores facial features.
Illinois’ Biometric Privacy Act prohibits private sector companies and institutions from collecting biometric data -- like unique facial features -- from unsuspecting citizens in the state or online, no matter where the business is based.
Data cannot be sold, transferred or traded. Unlike any other state, citizens can sue for alleged violations, the law states.
If a company is found to have violated Illinois law, citizens can collect civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation compounded by the number of people affected and days involved. No state regulatory agency is involved in enforcement.
Since BIPA is an Illinois law, it only applies to state residents.
According to the suit against Walmart, the plaintiff is requesting that the complaint become a certified class action order that awards its members with "compensatory, non-compensatory, statutory, exemplary and punitive damages," in the form of $5,000 for each "intentional" BIPA violation, and $1,000 for each "negligent" BIPA violation.
According to Top Class Actions, a website that tracks class action lawsuits, Walmart has recently been the target of "numerous class action lawsuits," with claims that include false advertising, misrepresenting products and more.
The new self-checkout cameras at Wally World are obviously being used to ID and catalog customers.
That’s why I always wear my Groucho Marx glasses and mustache when I check out.
So - using technology like closed-circuit cameras and facial recognition software to identify repeat offenders is now a violation of the rights of those same-said miscreants? I really really dislike Walmart - and it is a very rare thing for me to defend them. But in this case - unless there is a WHOLE LOT more to the story, then this is insanity.
if they want to do it they should disclose
not a radical idea
Yeah, I don’t really care but if I get $1K for each time they stored my mugshot, I’m going to Disneyland ;-)
Hey if they’re use my biometrics to know I’m old enough to buy beer I’m all for it.
The same folks filing lawsuits are the same kind of folks who literally post images and narratives of every corner of their lives that ought to be “personal and private” on social media. The will post half-naked twerking videos for millions to see - but complain because WM takes a picture to verify their identity and/or not a known shoplifter or scammer..
The key words are Private Sector Companies....
The key words are Private Sector Companies....
I have always thought Walmart facial recognition was shared
Some customers are known repeat thieves
I’ll be 69 on Saturday. I sure wish Walmart would have figured out by now that I’m over the age of 40 and don’t need age verification when I use the self checkout on my monthly visits. 🤬
Every body wants to get rich easy. No one wants to work for it.
I have always thought Walmart facial recognition was shared
Some customers are known repeat thieves!
Also, apparently vehicles. Before the Covid event, my wife and I stopped at an out of town store to pick up some items.
While, we were in the store, they began locking special cabinets to lock in liquor, wine and beer and OTC meds.
I asked a clerk what was going on?
She said that a couple of identified vehicles and non customers were closing in. We just left our basket and came home.
Some of the thieves (at all stores) work as teams
Some of the thieves (at all stores) work as teams!”
Apparently, this store had their vehicles IDed as well as the thieves. They like to hit stores with good escape routes.
We avoid one store in a chain due to the store now having armed guards, not just by the instore bank and ATM. The guards position themselves at the entrance and exit.
Its smaller sister store is an a retirement area and no fast routes out of town. Last week a drunk tried to steal some expensive wine. He was escorted out and came back. That time he was arrested inside the store. No vehicle just another homeless guy with an expensive wine taste.
Good!
“I’ll be 69 on Saturday. I sure wish Walmart would have figured out by now that I’m over the age of 40 and don’t need age verification when I use the self checkout on my monthly visits.”
Try being 84 in a few days and getting ID ed for our monthly wine. It forces us to avoid self checkouts. I key in my discount data, and the computer knows how old I am. Yet 9 times out of 10, I have tell the checkers how old I am.
Its smaller sister store is an a retirement area and no fast routes out of town. Last week a drunk tried to steal some expensive wine. He was escorted out and came back. That time he was arrested inside the store. No vehicle just another homeless guy with an expensive wine taste.
Also beware stores that have posts or bollards to prevent shopping cart removal.
Walmart isn’t the only place doing this. Casinos use it on everyone, too.
You are tracked worldwide. You take a photo and someone can then search cameras worldwide to locate where you took the photo and if you do this live as the example shows to Instagram then you can be seen on video taking the photo and walking around.
https://twitter.com/TheLastRefuge2/status/1573784275782189059
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