IL Woman Sues Target, Alleges Retailer Illegally Collects Customers' Biometric Data

ILLINOIS — An Illinois woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Target, accusing the retail giant of illegally collecting the biometric data of thousands of customers.

Arnetta Dean filed the lawsuit, which was published in full by FOX 32, last month in Cook County.

Biometric data is sensitive personal information that is biologically unique to a person, unlike non-biological data such as a Social Security number, the complaint said.

Target has been collecting the biometric data of thousands of Illinois residents who have entered its stores, according to the lawsuit.

“Target’s stores in Illinois are outfitted with cameras and advanced video surveillance systems that — unbeknownst to customers — surreptitiously collect, possess, or otherwise obtain Biometric Data,” the complaint said, noting the company’s use of “top of the line” facial recognition.

By collecting, storing and using the data without informed written consent, Target violated the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act, according to the lawsuit, which said the retailer also failed to provide a publicly available written policy for its retention and destruction of the data.

“They have been deprived of their control over their valuable information and otherwise suffered monetary and non-monetary losses,” the complaint said.

“Defendant has profited from its unlawful conduct in several forms, including reducing shrinkage (loss of inventory by theft) and saving money on having to hire loss prevention employees or third-party vendors. … Defendant’s conduct also exposed Plaintiff and the Class to a heightened risk of an invasion of their privacy.”

The lawsuit seeks damages of $5,000 for each intentional or reckless violation and $1,000 for each negligent violation, as well as restitution and legal costs, according to the lawsuit.

Target did not respond to requests for comment on the complaint from multiple media outlets.