Consumer Rights Wiki

Walmart: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Beanie Bo (talk | contribs)
confirmed, Administrators
907 edits
mNo edit summary
Bananabot (talk | contribs)
Bots, confirmed
1,114 edits
Re-archived 6 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot
 
(12 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{StubNotice}}
{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1962
|Industry=Retail, Grocery
|Logo=Walmart logo (2025; Alt).svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.walmart.com/
|Description=American grocery retailer found across North America.
}}


{{InfoboxCompany
'''{{Wplink|Walmart|Walmart Inc.}}''' is an American company known for its chain of retail stores and ubiquitous presence across many states and countries.   
|Name=Walmart Inc.|Type=Public|Founded=1962|Industry=Retail|Official Website=https://www.walmart.com/|Logo=Walmart logo (2025; Alt).svg}}
[[wikipedia:Walmart|'''Walmart Inc.''']] is an American company known for its chain of retail stores and ubiquitous presence across many states and even countries.   


==Consumer impact summary==
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
'''Privacy:''' Walmart is known to enact surveillance measures in its stores through facial recognition at checkouts and Bluetooth tracking of customers using the Walmart app in store. They also collect vast amounts of data from customers on their website, on their mobile app, and in their physical stores. They have been known to sell this data to third parties.


==Incidents==
==Incidents==
===Facial recognition surveillance===
===Facial recognition surveillance===
Walmart's first use of facial recognition software dates back to 2015 from an experimental, temporary program but has only grown since then<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Jeff John |date=9 Nov 2015 |title=Walmart’s Use of Sci-fi Tech To Spot Shoplifters Raises Privacy Questions |url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/09/wal-mart-facial-recognition/ |website=Fortune}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Facial Recognition in Walmart stores |url=https://www.securityvision.io/wiki/index.php/Facial_Recognition_in_Walmart_stores |website=The Security Vision Database}}</ref>.
Walmart's first use of facial recognition software dates back to 2015 from an experimental, temporary program but has only grown since then.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Jeff John |title=Walmart’s Use of Sci-fi Tech To Spot Shoplifters Raises Privacy Questions |url=https://fortune.com/2015/11/09/wal-mart-facial-recognition/ |url-access=subscription |website=Fortune |date=9 Nov 2015 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251124124720/https://fortune.com/2015/11/09/wal-mart-facial-recognition/ |archive-date=24 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author= |title=Facial Recognition in Walmart stores |url=https://www.securityvision.io/wiki/index.php/Facial_Recognition_in_Walmart_stores |website=Security Vision |date= |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128175542/https://www.securityvision.io/wiki/index.php/Facial_Recognition_in_Walmart_stores |archive-date=28 Nov 2024}}<!-- Compiled from other sources. This should be generally avoided. -Sojourna --></ref>


===AI surveillance===
===AI surveillance===
It was reported in 2019 that Walmart uses AI-surveillance, internally dubbed ''Missed Scan Detection'' to monitor self-checkout as well as manned registers for the sake of detecting items that have not been scanned<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |date=20 Jun 2019 |title=Walmart reveals it's tracking checkout theft with AI-powered cameras in 1,000 stores |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-tracks-theft-with-computer-vision-1000-stores-2019-6?r=US&IR=T |website=Business Insider}}</ref>. They do this using ''Everseen'', a facial recognition software based in Ireland, and it had only been reported on two years into Walmart's usage of the technology in which the company eventually confirmed it <ref>{{Cite web |last=Barkho |first=Gabriela |date=27 Jun 2019 |title=Walmart Confirms Use of AI-Powered Cameras to Detect Stealing |url=https://observer.com/2019/06/walmart-ai-cameras-detect-stealing/ |website=Observer}}</ref><ref name=":1" />.
It was reported in 2019 that Walmart uses AI-surveillance, internally dubbed ''Missed Scan Detection'' to monitor self-checkout as well as manned registers for the sake of detecting items that have not been scanned.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |title=Walmart reveals it's tracking checkout theft with AI-powered cameras in 1,000 stores |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-tracks-theft-with-computer-vision-1000-stores-2019-6 |website=Business Insider |date=20 Jun 2019 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117013212/https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-tracks-theft-with-computer-vision-1000-stores-2019-6 |archive-date=17 Nov 2019}}</ref> They do this using ''Everseen'', a facial recognition software based in Ireland, and it had only been reported on two years into Walmart's usage of the technology in which the company eventually confirmed it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barkho |first=Gabriela |title=Walmart Confirms Use of AI-Powered Cameras to Detect Stealing |url=https://observer.com/2019/06/walmart-ai-cameras-detect-stealing/ |website=Observer |date=27 Jun 2019 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251006191022/https://observer.com/2019/06/walmart-ai-cameras-detect-stealing/ |archive-date=6 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


===Use of Clearview AI===
===Use of Clearview AI===
In February 2020, Buzzfeed News published a detailed report on the usage of [[Clearview AI]], a company that created AI-powered facial recognition software by scraping images all across the internet including social media accounts{{Citation needed}}. In their report, it was found that Walmart had conducted nearly 300 searches on the facial recognition software<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mac |first=Ryan |date=27 Feb 2020 |title=Clearview’s Facial Recognition App Has Been Used By The Justice Department, ICE, Macy’s, Walmart, And The NBA |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/clearview-ai-fbi-ice-global-law-enforcement |website=Buzzfeed News}}</ref>, indicating the use of AI software to personally identify Walmart shoppers.
In February 2020, Buzzfeed News published a detailed report on the usage of [[Clearview AI]], a company that created AI-powered facial recognition software by scraping images all across the internet including social media accounts.{{Citation needed}} In their report, it was found that Walmart had conducted nearly 300 searches on the facial recognition software,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mac |first1=Ryan |last2=Haskins |first2=Caroline |last3=McDonald |first3=Logan |display-authors=2 |title=Clearview’s Facial Recognition App Has Been Used By The Justice Department, ICE, Macy’s, Walmart, And The NBA |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/clearview-ai-fbi-ice-global-law-enforcement |website=Buzzfeed News |date=27 Feb 2020 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126043820/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/clearview-ai-fbi-ice-global-law-enforcement |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref> indicating the use of AI software to personally identify Walmart shoppers.
 
===App [[spyware]] via Bluetooth===
Walmart uses a technology called ''Bluetooth beacon,'' a device often found in physical retail locations used for precise indoor positioning.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=What You Must Know About Bluetooth Beacons Before Purchasing in 2025 |url=https://mapsted.com/blog/what-you-must-know-about-bluetooth-beacons-before-purchasing |website=Mapsted |date=1 Jan 2024 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910010343/https://mapsted.com/blog/what-you-must-know-about-bluetooth-beacons-before-purchasing |archive-date=10 Sep 2024}}</ref> particularly for monitoring customers with the Walmart app installed on their smartphones.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kwet |first=Michael |others=Graphics by Tala Schlossberg; Illustrations by Max Guther |title=In Stores, Secret Surveillance Tracks Your Every Move |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/14/opinion/bluetooth-wireless-tracking-privacy.html |website=The New York Times |date=14 Jun 2019 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216020130/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/14/opinion/bluetooth-wireless-tracking-privacy.html |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> The Bluetooth device is often hidden on the top of shelving units inside retail stores and then connects with the smartphone device of customers, often through retailer apps. (Although this may include connecting to other [[spyware]] apps on customers' smartphones not owned by the actual retailer.)<ref name=":2" /> While many advertisers often use cellphone towers and GPS technology to track and advertise to consumers based on their location, Bluetooth beacons are significantly more precise, especially indoors where they are used in places like airports and shopping malls to track individuals.<ref name=":2" /> This allows companies like Walmart to send precise location data of customers to third-party advertisers, allowing highly specific targeted ads depending on which aisle the customer happens to be standing in.<ref name=":2" />
 
===Data collection===
Walmart collects an extensive amount of data, including specific personal and legal identifiers, as outlined in their privacy notice:<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Walmart Customer Privacy Notice (Online and In-Store) |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/walmart-privacy-notice |website=Walmart |date=16 Feb 2026 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219081255/https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/walmart-privacy-notice |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref>
<blockquote>*'''Basic Personal Identifiers''', such as name, telephone number, physical address, email address, government-issued identifiers (e.g., national identification numbers, driver’s license numbers), and signatures.
*'''Device and Online Identifiers''', such as account login information, MAC address, IP address, cookie IDs, mobile ad IDs, and social media information.
*'''Internet and Other Network Activity Information''', such as information about your browsing or search activity as well as your interactions with our websites, mobile applications, emails, or advertisements (for example keystroke patterns which help us determine if it is you or a bot who is interacting with us).
*'''Commercial Information''', such as purchase and transaction history information (products or services you have purchased, rented, or returned), details about products associated with services you receive from or through us (e.g., car make, model, year, odometer reading, and Vehicle Identification Number when you visit our Auto Care Center), product reviews, travel and vacation information, and sweepstakes and contest entries.
*'''Communications''', such as the content of emails, text messages, interactions with our bot (AI assistant chatbots), or other communications, call logs, and calendar information, where Walmart is a party to the exchange.
*'''Demographic Information''', such as age, gender, citizenship, ethnicity, date of birth, family or marital status, household income, education, professional and employment information, family health, number of children, number of cars owned, and software or virtual assets owned.
*'''Financial Information''', such as credit or debit card numbers, and financial account numbers.
*'''Biometric Information''', such as voice prints, imagery of the iris or retina, face geometry, and palm prints or fingerprints.
*'''Geolocation''', such as data about the location of your device, which may be imprecise (i.e., inferred from your device’s IP address). If you provide your consent, this data may be precise. For more information about precise geolocation, see the ''How Do We Collect Personal Information? > Collected Through Automated Means'' section below.
*'''Sensory Information''', such as audio, visual information, and other sensory information such as photographs and audio and video recordings.
*'''Background Information''', such as background checks and criminal convictions.
*'''Inferences''', such as individual preferences and characteristics. This may include inferences drawn from and related to shopping patterns and behaviors, intelligence, and aptitudes.</blockquote>
 
===Data sent to third parties (''2021—'')===
In February 2021, Walmart launched a company called ''Walmart Data Ventures,'' a division for Walmart to sell first-party data collected from customers and their own business operations.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Mark |title=Introducing Scintilla: Walmart Luminate has a new name |url=https://www.walmartdataventures.com/insights/articles/introducing-scintilla |website=Walmart Data Ventures |date=5 Feb 2025 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320044608/https://www.walmartdataventures.com/content/walmartdataventures/en_us/insights/articles/introducing-scintilla.html/ |archive-date=20 Mar 2025}}</ref> ''Scintilla,'' previously known as ''Walmart Luminate,'' is the core product of Walmart Data Ventures, and provides buyers with a suite of data insights and tools to better market to consumers.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Silberstein |first=Nicole |title=Walmart is Sharing More and More of its Data with its Suppliers. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/topics/data-analytics/business-intelligence/walmart-is-sharing-more-and-more-of-its-data-with-its-suppliers-heres-why |website=Retail Touchpoints |date=1 Jan 2025 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007180215/https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/topics/data-analytics/business-intelligence/walmart-is-sharing-more-and-more-of-its-data-with-its-suppliers-heres-why |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>
 
===Employees' 401k data leak (''2024'')===
In April 2024, Walmart experienced a data breach of personally identifiable information for nearly 2,000 employees, including names and social security numbers, due to Walmart's retirement plan administrator sending an accidental email with the information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Bruce |title=Merrill data bungle hits Walmart 401(k) plan |url=https://www.investmentnews.com/fintech/merrill-data-bungle-hits-walmart-401k-plan/253844 |website=Investment News |date=28 May 2024 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616162400/https://www.investmentnews.com/fintech/merrill-data-bungle-hits-walmart-401k-plan/253844 |archive-date=16 Jun 2025}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author=StrongDM Team |title=Walmart Data Breach: What Happened and How They Solved It |url=https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |website=StrongDM |date=17 Apr 2025 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524072553/https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |archive-date=24 May 2025}}</ref> Walmart responded by providing employees with identity theft protection for a rough total of $1 million.<ref name=":3" />


===App spyware===
The Walmart app uses a technology called ''Bluetooth beacon'' that sends data from users with the Walmart app to the company as the customer walks around the store<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwet |first=Michael |title=In Stores, Secret Surveillance Tracks Your Every Move |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/14/opinion/bluetooth-wireless-tracking-privacy.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref>.
===Refusal to refund older bricked Onn devices (''2025'')===
===Refusal to refund older bricked Onn devices (''2025'')===
{{Main|Walmart's refusal to replace bricked Onn devices after forced update}}
{{Main|Walmart's Onn devices bricked after update}}
In June 2025, Walmart began updating their Onn streaming devices from Android 10 and 12 to 14. After the first attempt at the updates bricked older devices from 2021, Walmart's Onn customer support refused to grant refunds or replacements for devices over the one year manufacturer's warranty{{Citation needed}}.
 
In June 2025, Walmart began updating their Onn streaming devices from Android 10 and 12 to 14. After the first attempt at the updates bricked older devices from 2021, Walmart's Onn customer support refused to grant refunds or replacements for devices over the one-year manufacturer's warranty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saba |first=Elias |title=Walmart refuses to replace Onn streaming device bricked by its forced OS update |url=https://www.aftvnews.com/walmart-refuses-to-replace-onn-streaming-device-bricked-by-its-forced-os-update/ |website=AFTVnews |date=15 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716163601/https://www.aftvnews.com/walmart-refuses-to-replace-onn-streaming-device-bricked-by-its-forced-os-update/ |archive-date=16 Jul 2025}}</ref>


==Lawsuits==
==Lawsuits==
===Illinois privacy law (''2022'')===
On 1 September 2022, James Luthe, an Illinois resident, filed a class-action lawsuit against Walmart for allegedly violating Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by using surveillance cameras and Clearview AI's facial recognition database.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haskins |first=Caroline |title=Walmart is facing a class action suit for allegedly violating an Illinois privacy law by using surveillance cameras and Clearview AI's facial recognition database |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-is-facing-a-class-action-over-its-alleged-use-of-surveillance-cameras-and-clearview-ais-facial-recognition-database-2022-9 |website=Business Insider |date=6 Sep 2022|access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126130140/https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-is-facing-a-class-action-over-its-alleged-use-of-surveillance-cameras-and-clearview-ais-facial-recognition-database-2022-9 |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref> Luthe requested dismissal of the case on 8 September 2022, however, and the motion was granted the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Luthe v. Walmart, Inc. (1:22-cv-04701) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64944053/luthe-v-walmart-inc/ |website=Court Listener |date=2022 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221042401/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64944053/luthe-v-walmart-inc/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>


=== Illinois privacy laws ===
===Weighted groceries lawsuit and settlement (''2022—2024'')===
Walmart is facing a class action suit for allegedly violating an Illinois privacy law by using surveillance cameras and Clearview AI's facial recognition database<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haskins |first=Caroline |date=6 Sep 2022 |title=Walmart is facing a class action suit for allegedly violating an Illinois privacy law by using surveillance cameras and Clearview AI's facial recognition database |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-is-facing-a-class-action-over-its-alleged-use-of-surveillance-cameras-and-clearview-ais-facial-recognition-database-2022-9 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>.
On 19 October 2022, Florida resident Vassilios Kukorinis filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart in Florida. Among the allegations, Walmart was accused of falsely inflating product weight, mislabeling weight of bagged produce, and overcharging for sold-by-weight clearance products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beatty |first=Zachary P. |title=Vassilios Kukorinis, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Walmart Inc. (8:22-cv-02402-VMC-TGW) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65590632/1/kukorinis-v-walmart-inc/ |website=Court Listener |date=19 Oct 2022 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251105080609/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65590632/1/kukorinis-v-walmart-inc/ |archive-date=5 Nov 2025}}</ref> While Walmart denied any wrongdoing, they agreed to pay $45 million to settle the case in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |title=How Walmart shoppers can qualify for cash from $45 million settlement |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/walmart-shoppers-qualify-cash-45-million-settlement/story?id=108987190 |website=ABC News |date=8 Apr 2024 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408185147/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/walmart-shoppers-qualify-cash-45-million-settlement/story?id=108987190 |archive-date=8 Apr 2024}}</ref>


===Weighted groceries settlement===
In 2022 a class action lawsuit was filed against Walmart in Florida mainly alledging that Walmart falsely inflated product weight, mislabeled weight of bagged produce and overcharged for sold-by-weight clearance products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amended class action complaint V. Kukorinis (and similarly situated) v. Wallmart Inc. |url=https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.walmartweightedgroceriessettlement.com/docs/Amended+Class+Action+Complaint.pdf |access-date=15 Mar 2025}} </ref> While Walmart denies any wrongdoing they agreed to pay $45 million to settle the case in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |date=8 Apr 2024 |title=How Walmart shoppers can qualify for cash from $45 million settlement |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/walmart-shoppers-qualify-cash-45-million-settlement/story?id=108987190 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ABC News}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:Walmart]]
[[Category:Walmart]]
[[Category:Food retailers]]
[[Category:Supermarkets]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Walmart"