Recent downstate reporting revealed Wegmans is using biometric surveillance to scan customers’ faces. Some upstate legislators want to make businesses like Wegmans disclose surveillance tools to customers.
Policing
Posted inPolicing
A bill sponsored by a Central New York state senator could stop biometric surveillance at stores like Wegmans
State Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse, in 2025 sponsored a bill that could stop biometric data collection in places like grocery stores. Wegmans has began biometric surveillance of customers in New York City.
Posted inPolicing
Wegmans added facial recognition technology to NYC stores, won’t say if it plans the same for Central New York stores
Wegmans’ stores in New York City are scanning and storing customers’ faces, eyes, and voices.
Posted inPolicing
Why Flock will get to keep Syracuse drivers’ ‘anonymized’ data even if lawmakers cancel their contract
Against the advice of his own working group, Mayor Ben Walsh granted Flock the right to keep Syracuse drivers’ anonymized data.
Posted inPolicing
Former prosecutor says she was sexually assaulted, harassed by fellow Onondaga County prosecutors
Cayley Young, a former Onondaga County assistant district attorney, in a lawsuit accused Shaun Chase, also formerly of the office, of sexually assaulting her.
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse lawmakers cut SU’s plans for Flock readers on city property, table similar vote on police’s readers
Common Council blocks Syracuse University from using Flock license plate readers on city property, while SPD readers survive the council’s chopping block.
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse lawmakers could upend two SU-owned license plate scanners before they are installed on city property
Councilors on Monday will vote on legislation that would block Flock Safety’s privileges to operate license plate readers in Syracuse.
Posted inPolicing
Will Syracuse lawmakers end Flock’s ability to put license plate readers near city streets?
Two lawmakers proposed doing just that. Syracuse’s license plate reader provider has been embroiled in national controversies for much of 2025.
Posted inPolicing
Before the deportation
ICE agents came looking for a French national and the husband of a beloved Hawley-Green business owner, forcing the couple to contemplate a new, uncertain future.
Posted inPolicing
Syracuse lawmakers again leave drone program waiting on the runway
Syracuse lawmakers have grounded the city police department’s proposed drone as first responder program by delaying for nearly a year a vote on the purchase of software.