HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Grocery stores across Connecticut are using facial recognition technology to combat theft, but some customers and lawmakers are raising privacy concerns about the practice.

ShopRite stores post signs on their doors notifying customers that facial recognition technology is in use. The cameras take pictures of shoppers as part of the store’s security system to crack down on theft.

“I am one of those moms who runs in and out, and I didn’t even take notice. But I guess it does concern me,” said Kelly Schuchardt of Avon. “My husband and I are very careful about what we put online.”

Customers want to know where their facial data is being stored and with whom it might be shared.

“It’s everywhere. The use is in airports, it’s coming to everything, I believe,” said Laurie Mercuri of Avon.

Wakefern, the company that owns ShopRite, said the technology is not used for any other purpose. Video footage is regularly deleted, never sold, and may be shared with law enforcement when a crime occurs, according to the company.

Wegmans, which recently opened a store in Norwalk, also uses facial recognition technology.

Some Connecticut lawmakers want more protections for consumers, such as requiring consent from customers or mandating that signs be posted.

“There is something about your overall understanding of privacy—you don’t want your behavior turned over, and certainly sold, without your consent to other companies,” said Sen. Jujata Gadkar-Wilcox, a Democrat on the General Law Committee.

Republican Sen. Paul Cicerella said facial recognition is a valuable tool for stores but there should be checks and balances.

“I understand it’s a concern, and we need to address that, but we should not ban this tool altogether,” Cicerella said.

Some customers feel they have little choice in the matter.

“Do you have a choice anymore? That’s a problem, you don’t have a choice no matter where you go,” said Ralph Zimbouski of Avon. “It’s their property; they are going to do what they want.”

New York has laws regulating stores’ use of facial recognition technology, but Connecticut does not. The ACLU said the technology creates serious privacy risks and raises concerns about racial justice.

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