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Walmart class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: James Luthe filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart.
- Why: Walmart allegedly collects and uses customers’ biometric data without their consent in violation of Illinois law.
- Where: The Walmart class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.
Walmart’s practice of collecting, storing and using customers’ biometric information without obtaining their informed written consent violates Illinois law, according to a recent class action lawsuit.
Plaintiff James Luthe alleges that Walmart stores in Illinois have cameras and advance video surveillance systems that surreptitiously collect customers’ facial scans.
Additionally, Walmart allegedly uses Clearview AI software to match customers’ facial scans against billions of facial scans in Clearview’s facial recognition database.
Walmart class action says retailer’s collection and use of biometric data violates BIPA
The Walmart class action lawsuit says the retailer scans, collects and stores customers’ biometric information without their knowledge or consent and does not inform them about the specific purpose and length of time for which this data will be collected, stored and used.
The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) was enacted to protect residents’ biometric information, which includes unique identifiers like fingerprints and facial scans. Unlike Social Security numbers or other data that can be changed if compromised, biometric information is unique to an individual.
If a person’s biometric information is compromised, they have no recourse and are at an increased risk of identity theft, the Illinois legislature determined.
BIPA requires private entities to inform people in writing that their biometric information is being collected or stored and the purpose and length of time for which it will be stored or used. The entities must also publish publicly available retention schedules and guidelines indicating when it will permanently destroy the biometric data.
BIPA also prohibits companies from selling, leasing or otherwise profiting from others’ biometric data. The Walmart class action lawsuit alleges the retailer violates this provision of BIPA by sending customers’ facial data through the Clearview Biometric Database without their knowledge or consent.
Luthe filed the Walmart class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and other Illinois residents whose biometric data was collected, stored, disseminated and/or used by Walmart without their consent.
This new Walmart class action lawsuit is just one of many to pile up against the retail giant in 2022. Walmart currently faces several recalls and class action lawsuits involving allegations of false advertising, misleading representations and failing to properly monitor its money transfer service.
What do you think about the Walmart class action lawsuit’s allegations that the retailer collects customers’ facial scans? Join the discussion in the comments!
Luthe is represented by Gary M. Klinger and Blake Hunter Yagman of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC and Joseph P. Guglielmo of Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP.
The Walmart class action lawsuit is James Luthe v. Walmart Inc., Case No. 3:22-cv-02104, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
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1,212 thoughts onWalmart class action alleges retailer illegally collects, stores, uses customer biometric data
I would like to be added, I just went rounds with WMTPlus rep and they are refunding my 98.00. I never signed up for this benefit, I was very sick a year ago and made the mistake of having some groceries delivered. I saw that charge later, but was to sick to care. Then they did it this year, I do shop at the neighborhood market, but not at a Walmart Super Center nor at Sam’s. My credit union rep gave me the number to get in contact with WMT Plus. Talk about having to jump through hoops.
add me
I’d like to be a part of this! This is wrong and they need to pay.
I would like to find out how to be added to this lawsuit; not only does Walmart force its customers to continue to ring up their own groceries but while doing it they are often profiled based on information in a database and then they are having their facial and biometric data loaded into a database. We are monitored in these stores and many people all over the U.S. report being stalked, mobbed and harassed in their stores all while they are using cameras to unlawfully and criminally gather or facial information to sell to the government or what have you for more nefarious purposes.