Erie County passes Biometric Transparency and Privacy Act
Erie County passes Biometric Transparency and Privacy Act
Publish Date: 2026-04-30 14:01:00
Source Domain: spectrumlocalnews.com
Lawmakers voted Thursday to approve a new local law that prohibits the collection, use and sale of biometric identifier information in commercial settings in Erie County.
The “Biometric Transparency and Privacy Act” was approved by a 7-3 vote.
In passing the law, Erie County lawmakers said that it is intended to “promote transparency and protect the public.”
“The Erie County Legislature finds that biometric identifier technologies are increasingly used in commercial settings by commercial establishments for purposes including, but not limited to, customer authentication, building access, and fraud prevention,” lawmakers said of the intent of the new act. “The legislature also finds that biometric identifier information in uniquely sensitive because it is derived from a person’s physical or biological characteristics and poses serious privacy and security risks to individuals if compromised. The Erie County Legislature further finds that the collection, storage, procurement, use and sale or other monetization of biometric identifier information is inconsistent with basic privacy expectations.”
This comes after Wegmans recently deployed cameras equipped with facial recognition technology at select stores, saying some stores are using the technology to help with misconduct and retail theft, and that it doesn’t collect other biometric data and disposes of the images and video after security purposes are fulfilled.
The ban covers face scans, fingerprints, iris scans, voice prints, genetics and characteristic movements such as gait or typing patterns. It applies to any commercial establishment operating in a commercial setting within Erie County. (Spectrum News 1)
Democratic Legislator Lawrence Dupre said that he first proposed the legislation to make any retailer using the technology more transparent.
“You can reset a password. You cannot reset your face,” said Dupre. “Your face is yours. It is not a data point for a corporation to collect and sell. As of…
