The laws would cover how and when stores can collect your biometric data.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County legislators are debating whether to regulate how companies collect your biometric data.
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People started talking about this after a New York Post article over the weekend reported signs at Wegmans in New York City telling customers their biometric data was being collected and stored while they shopped.
New York City has a law requiring businesses to inform customers when they are collecting this data by posting a sign at the door. Erie County does not have that requirement.
Now, county legislators are considering laws to deal with this issue.
“I think this is just about transparency. What this law would do, would require any commercial business that is using that biometric data to just post a sign outside of their facility saying we are collecting this data just so that consumers are aware,” said Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.
“What I want to make sure is that when you are an Erie County resident, and you go into a store, and somebody is taking your biometric data, like facial scans, finger prints, voice scans, that you’re aware of it,” said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre.
Meanwhile, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wants to go a step further. He posted on Facebook that he finds it troubling stores are using facial recognition and other biometric technology to collect customer data. He is calling for a local law to prohibit any public retailer from collecting and storing this data, calling it a serious invasion of privacy.