https://winbuzzer.com/2026/02/11/google-ai-shopping-search-gemini-privacy-warren-xcxwbn/
Google AI Shopping Sparks Privacy Concerns from Elizabeth Warren
#AI #Google #Gemini #Ecommerce #AIShopping #ConsumerPrivacy #ElizabethWarren #BigTech #AgenticAI #GoogleSearch #AISearch #SearchEngines #GoogleSearch
Is Wegmans Using Facial Recognition in Raleigh Stores?
As conversations around privacy, surveillance, and retail security continue to grow nationwide, many Raleigh shoppers are asking an important question: Is Wegmans using facial recognition technology in its local stores?
The short answer—for now—is there is no public confirmation that Wegmans is using facial recognition at its Raleigh-area locations. However, recent reporting out of New York City has raised understandable concerns and curiosity.
Below is what we know, what we don’t, and why this matters for shoppers across the Triangle.
What Sparked the Question?
The discussion stems from a recent article published by Gothamist detailing how Wegmans is using facial recognition technology at select New York City stores, including locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
According to Wegmans, the technology is deployed only in a small number of stores deemed to have an “elevated risk” due to prior incidents involving theft, safety concerns, or disruptive behavior.
Key takeaways from Wegmans’ statement:
Facial recognition is used case by case, not chain-wide It is intended to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct Stores using the technology are required to post clear signage under NYC law The goal, according to Wegmans, is to protect employees, customers, and operations
What About Raleigh Wegmans Stores?
Wegmans currently operates popular locations in the Triangle, including: Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville
As of now:
No Raleigh-area Wegmans stores have posted facial recognition signage No public statements confirm use of the technology in North Carolina North Carolina law does not currently require the same level of disclosure as New York City
That said, Wegmans has made it clear that facial recognition could be deployed at any store it considers “high risk.” Whether any Triangle locations fall into that category has not been disclosed.
Why This Matters to Raleigh Shoppers
Even if facial recognition is not currently active in local stores, the issue raises broader questions for residents:
🔍 Privacy & Transparency
Many customers feel uneasy about biometric data being collected—even when intended for security. Clear disclosure and transparency are key to maintaining trust.
🏙️ Different Rules, Different Cities
New York City has strict regulations requiring signage and public notice. North Carolina does not. That means customers here may not receive the same level of visibility into how in-store technology is used.
🛒 Retail Security vs. Civil Liberties
Retailers nationwide are balancing theft prevention with growing concerns about surveillance, misidentification, and potential bias in facial recognition systems.
What Should Raleigh Residents Do?
If this issue matters to you, here are a few proactive steps:
Ask store management directly about surveillance technology policies Watch for signage updates at store entrances Follow local and state policy discussions around biometric data and consumer privacy Engage city and state leaders if you believe stronger disclosure laws are needed
The Bottom Line
At this time, there is no evidence that Wegmans is using facial recognition technology in Raleigh stores. However, the company’s confirmed use of the technology in New York City suggests that future expansion is possible, particularly if Wegmans determines a store faces elevated risk.
As technology continues to shape everyday experiences—from shopping to commuting—Raleigh residents should stay informed and engaged in the conversation around privacy, transparency, and consumer rights.
Stay tuned to DoRaleigh for updates as more information becomes available.
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#ConsumerPrivacy #FacialRecognitionTechnology #GroceryStoreSecurity #News #NorthCarolinaPrivacyLaws #raleigh #RaleighPrivacyConcerns #RaleighShoppingNews #RetailSurveillance #RetailTechnology #TriangleNews #Wegmans #WegmansRaleigh
A Texas court has temporarily restricted the use of ACR technology by Hisense while privacy litigation proceeds.
From a security and privacy perspective, the case underscores recurring issues: transparency in telemetry collection, informed consent, and the expanding data footprint of consumer IoT devices.
What controls or disclosures do you believe should be standard for connected home technology?
Source: https://therecord.media/hisense-ordered-to-stop-data-collection-texas-lawsuit
Join the conversation and follow @technadu for practitioner-relevant cyber and privacy coverage.
#InfoSec #PrivacyEngineering #IoTSecurity #ConsumerPrivacy #CyberLaw #TechNadu
AI anxiety drives consumer privacy fears as data trust reaches crisis point: Verve survey reveals 65% of consumers worry about AI data training, while 97% demand transparency from publishers as privacy concerns intensify in 2025. https://ppc.land/ai-anxiety-drives-consumer-privacy-fears-as-data-trust-reaches-crisis-point-2/ #AI #ConsumerPrivacy #DataTrust #AIDataTraining #Transparency
California’s new privacy law will require browsers to provide a built-in, one-step opt-out for data sharing. Experts believe browser vendors may extend this capability nationwide to avoid fragmented builds and residency validation.
With 12 states now mandating recognition of opt-out signals, this could shift how platforms and data brokers handle user information once the law takes effect in 2027.
Source: https://therecord.media/california-web-browser-law-national-implications
💬 What changes do you think security and compliance teams should prepare for?
🔔 Follow @technadu for balanced cybersecurity and policy coverage.
#dataprivacy #optout #ccpa #consumerprivacy #techpolicy #digitalrights #infosec #cyberlaw #privacystandards #browserprivacy
Google adds privacy controls for Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island: Google announced Restricted Data Processing mode for three states effective January 2026, supporting compliance with new consumer privacy laws. https://ppc.land/google-adds-privacy-controls-for-indiana-kentucky-and-rhode-island/ #Google #PrivacyControls #DataProtection #ConsumerPrivacy #DataPrivacy
@nick_appleyard 's picture of the prices of #toothpaste in #Tesco (boosted earlier) is a reminder of another long-standing top tip:
It is nowadays the "Clubcard prices" in Tesco that usually have parity with other shops. Here, it is only the "Clubcard price" that passes through a promotion that apparently Colgate-Palmolive is running, and that other shops give to all customers.
https://tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/318275207
https://superdrug.com/toiletries/dental/toothpaste/colgate-total-original-toothpaste-125ml/p/848829
https://boots.com/colgate-total-active-prevention-fresh-mint-toothpaste-125ml-10353409
So never forget your #TescoClubcard when shopping at Tesco.
And if you do not have a Clubcard, or forget/do not use it, you might be paying well over the odds compared to shopping elsewhere.
And yes, this is a major retailer only giving you competitive prices if you agree to it tracking your purchases.
Logitech hacked
https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://nerds.xyz/2025/11/logitech-cybersecurity-incident-zero-day/
"Privacy laws are only as strong as their enforcement. In California, the state’s privacy agency recently issued its largest-ever fine for violation of the state’s privacy law—and all because of a consumer complaint.
The state’s privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act or CCPA, requires many companies to respect California customers' and job applicants' rights to know, delete and correct information that businesses collect about them, and to opt-out of some types of sharing and use. It also requires companies to give notice of these rights, along with other information, to customers, job applicants, and others. (Bonus tip: Have a complaint about something else, such as a data breach? Go to the CA Attorney General.)
If you’re a Californian and think a business isn’t obeying the law, then the best thing to do is tell someone who can do something about it. How? It’s easy. In fewer than a dozen questions, you can share enough information to get the agency started."
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/how-file-privacy-complaint-california
#USA #California #Privacy #DataProtection #CCPA #ConsumerPrivacy
Facebook #UserPrivacy Settlement – Settlement and Distribution Status Update
Claim ID: FBCA50001650442
#SETTLEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION STATUS UPDATE
Your Claim Form submitted in the In re: Facebook, Inc. #ConsumerPrivacy User Profile #Litigation is approved. The distribution of #settlementbenefits will commence in September, and payments will be sent in batches over the following 10 weeks.
Sincerely,
#Facebook User Privacy Settlement Administrator
😕 In the U.S., your #data #privacy rights as a #consumer are determined by the state you live in.
⭐ California's CCPA is the strongest / most extensive in the U.S..
This is from an email from PeacockTV (included with my internet). I filled out the form to prevent them using/selling my information. I received this as confirmation.
👉🏽 Remember: you have rights (in some states) but the burden is on the consumer to demand them.
✌🏽 When you VOTE please vote for folks supporting legislation to protect data privacy!
#consumerprivacy #tech #vote #dataprivacy #law #policy #Peacock #Comcast #NBCUniversal
🗓️ EPIC is hosting “Risks and Risk Assessments: Reporting Out on California's Proposed AI & Privacy Regulations” on June 16, 9 am PT / 12 pm ET: #AI #AIRisk #ConsumerPrivacy #CCPA #CPPA
Many companies collect consumer data and use it for discriminatory pricing. EPIC joined other groups in a letter to the California Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee supporting A.B. 446, which would ban surveillance pricing. #SurveillancePricing #PriceDiscrimination #ConsumerPrivacy
23andMe Bankruptcy: Navigating the Complexities of Genetic Data Privacy
#geneticdataprivacy
#23andmebankruptcy
#dataprotection
#consumerprivacy
#genetictesting
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent "Consumer Alert" outlining the steps that consumers can take to request that 23andMe delete their genetic data 📋✅: oag.ca.gov/news/press-r... #PrivacyAwareness #ConsumerPrivacy #DNATest
Attorney General Bonta Urgentl...
That is all.
#tech #internet #mozilla #OpenSource #capitalism #consumerism #privacy #ConsumerPrivacy
EPIC recommends amending H.B. 1089 to include a centralized data deletion mechanism, similar to California’s DELETE Act. Read our full Maryland Committee testimony : epic.org/documents/te... #DataBrokers #ConsumerPrivacy #DataProtection #Maryland #StatePrivacyLaws
Testimony on Maryland HB 1089,...
Test what you learned on #DataPrivacyDay about best privacy practices, laws, and EPIC trivia. 📝 Are you a Privacy Novice or Expert? #Privacy #PrivacyAwareness #DataProtection #ConsumerPrivacy
The report emphasizes that most existing privacy laws “protect in name only” due to influence from Big Tech. Will legislation continue to be weakened by Big Tech, or is 2025 the year of change? #ConsumerPrivacy #DataPrivacyDay #DataProtection 💻
Talk about being LATE to the party and/or tell us something we already know!!!!
FTC reports that social media and video streaming services have engaged in vast surveillance of consumers to monetize personal information while failing to adequately protect users online, especially children and teens.
Some companies did not delete all user data in response to user deletion requests!
Download the report (PDF) here: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf #socialmedia #privacy #dataprotection #FTC #COPPA #ConsumerPrivacy #teenonlinesafety
