Walmart: Difference between revisions
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{{ | |Description=American grocery retailer found across North America. | ||
| | |Founded=1962 | ||
|Industry=Retail, Grocery | |||
|Logo=Walmart logo (2025; Alt).svg | |||
|ParentCompany= | |||
|Type=Public | |||
|Website=https://www.walmart.com/ | |||
}} | |||
[[wikipedia:Walmart|'''Walmart Inc.''']] is an American company known for its chain of retail stores and ubiquitous presence across many states and countries. | [[wikipedia:Walmart|'''Walmart Inc.''']] is an American company known for its chain of retail stores and ubiquitous presence across many states and countries. | ||
==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
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/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/M6skN |archive-date=29 Dec 2020 |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 |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 |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 |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/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/M6skN |archive-date=29 Dec 2020 |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 |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 |website=The Security Vision Database}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117013212/https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-tracks-theft-with-computer-vision-1000-stores-2019-6?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=17 Nov 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> | 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117013212/https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-tracks-theft-with-computer-vision-1000-stores-2019-6?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=17 Nov 2019 |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/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/ilndM |archive-date=30 Apr 2020 |website=Observer}}</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 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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/6MMao |archive-date=27 Feb 2020 |website=Buzzfeed News}}</ref> indicating the use of AI software to personally identify Walmart shoppers. | ||
===App spyware via | ===App spyware via Bluetooth=== | ||
Walmart uses a technology called '' | Walmart uses a technology called ''Bluetooth beacon,'' a device often found in physical retail locations used for precise indoor positioning.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Jan 2024 |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 |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 |website=Mapsted}}</ref> particularly for monitoring customers with the Walmart app installed on their smartphones.<ref name=":2">{{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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/YWbLk |archive-date=14 Jun 2019 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The Bluetooth device is often hidden on the top of shelving units inside retail stored 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=== | ===Data collection=== | ||
Walmart collects an extensive amount of data, including specific personal and legal identifiers, as outlined in their privacy notice:<blockquote> | Walmart collects an extensive amount of data, including specific personal and legal identifiers, as outlined in their privacy notice:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-08 |title=Walmart Customer Privacy Notice (Online and In-Store) |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/privacy-security/walmart-privacy-notice |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=Walmart Corporate}}</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. | *'''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. | *'''Device and Online Identifiers''', such as account login information, MAC address, IP address, cookie IDs, mobile ad IDs, and social media information. | ||
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===Data sent to third parties=== | ===Data sent to third parties=== | ||
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 |date=5 Feb 2025 |title=Introducing Scintilla: Walmart Luminate has a new name |url=https://www.walmartdataventures.com/insights/articles/introducing-scintilla |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 |website=Walmart Data Ventures}}</ref> | 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 |date=5 Feb 2025 |title=Introducing Scintilla: Walmart Luminate has a new name |url=https://www.walmartdataventures.com/insights/articles/introducing-scintilla |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 |website=Walmart Data Ventures}}</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 |date=1 Jan 2025 |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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/NENqm |archive-date=5 Aug 2024 |website=Retail Touchpoints}}</ref> | ||
===Employees' 401k data leak (2024)=== | ===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 |date=28 May 2024 |title=Merrill data bungle hits Walmart 401(k) plan |url=https://www.investmentnews.com/fintech/merrill-data-bungle-hits-walmart-401k-plan/253844 |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 |website=Investment News}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2025 |title=Walmart Data Breach: What Happened and How They Solved It |url=https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524072553/https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |archive-date=24 May 2025 |website=StrongDM}}</ref> | 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 |date=28 May 2024 |title=Merrill data bungle hits Walmart 401(k) plan |url=https://www.investmentnews.com/fintech/merrill-data-bungle-hits-walmart-401k-plan/253844 |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 |website=Investment News}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2025 |title=Walmart Data Breach: What Happened and How They Solved It |url=https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524072553/https://www.strongdm.com/what-is/walmart-data-breach |archive-date=24 May 2025 |website=StrongDM}}</ref> Walmart responded by providing employees with identity theft protection for a rough total of $1 million.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
===Refusal to refund older bricked Onn devices ( | ===Refusal to refund older bricked Onn devices (2025)=== | ||
{{Main|Walmart's refusal to replace bricked Onn devices after forced update}} | {{Main|Walmart's refusal to replace bricked Onn devices after forced 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.{{Citation needed}} | ||
==Lawsuits== | ==Lawsuits== | ||
===Illinois privacy laws=== | ===Illinois privacy laws=== | ||
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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/SkZRD |archive-date=2 Sep 2022 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> | 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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/SkZRD |archive-date=2 Sep 2022 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> | ||
===Weighted groceries settlement=== | ===Weighted groceries settlement=== | ||
In 2022 a class action lawsuit was filed against Walmart in Florida mainly | In 2022 a class action lawsuit was filed against Walmart in Florida mainly alleging 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302231312/https://angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com/www.walmartweightedgroceriessettlement.com/docs/Amended+Class+Action+Complaint.pdf |archive-date=2 Mar 2025 |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 |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 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ABC News}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Walmart]] | [[Category:Walmart]] | ||
[[Category:Food retailers]] | |||
[[Category:Supermarkets]] | |||