Illinois lawsuit accuses Target of collecting biometric data without consent
COOK COUNTY, Ill. – An Illinois woman has filed a lawsuit against Target that accuses the retail giant of collecting biometric data without consent.
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County, Illinois, last month. It alleges that Target collected and stored biometric data of her and other customers, including face and fingerprint scans, without their consent.
FOX 32 and USA Today were among the first to report of the lawsuit, which cites the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2008.
According to the lawsuit, Target is accused of violating BIPA by collecting, storing and using biometric information without consent and not informing customers about data retention and destruction policies.
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The lawsuit contends that biometric data is biologically unique and could pose risks of identity theft, if compromised.
BIPA gives Illinoisans the right to sue over violations with damages ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation.
FOX 2’s Nexstar partners report there was some pushback to Illinois’ BIPA law last year with business groups claiming technology has changed and that biometric data is routine for many industries, such as nursing and trucking.
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