Walmart: Difference between revisions

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>.

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" />.

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.

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 |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 |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" />.

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 |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 |website=Retail Touchpoints}}</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 |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 |website=StrongDM}}</ref>. Walmart responded by providing employees with identity theft protection for a rough total of $1 million<ref name=":3" />.

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>.

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>