Erie County, New York, has implemented a law that bans the use of facial recognition technology in supermarkets, including Wegmans, which has faced scrutiny for its security practices. The legislation, signed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, also prohibits the collection, storage, and sale of various biometric data, such as fingerprints and voice recognition. Local legislator Lawrence Dupre, who sponsored the bill, emphasized that the law aims to protect individuals' privacy by distinguishing between conventional security cameras and biometric databases. Wegmans has acknowledged using facial recognition technology in a limited number of its stores, primarily to enhance security and identify individuals flagged for misconduct. Under the new law, retailers must comply within 30 days of receiving a notice of violation, or they may incur fines of up to $5,000 per day. Poloncarz stated that this law is a significant step toward creating a safer community by safeguarding personal biometric data.