Kroger says it has no plans to use facial recognition after uproar about surge pricing in grocery stores

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has expressed concerns about Kroger's electronic shelving labels and alleged plans to use facial recognition technology in its digital displays. Tlaib's concerns are not new, as Senators Elizabeth Warren and Robert Casey previously wrote to Kroger's CEO Rodney McMullen about the potential for data misuse. Despite public concern, Kroger has been working on its ESLs for at least five years and claims to have no plans to use facial recognition in its stores. ESLs are digital versions of price tags that can help stores update prices and track inventory, and are used by several grocery stores, including Walmart and Schnucks. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for dynamic or surge pricing, where stores adjust prices based on demand or other factors. Both Kroger and Walmart have assured customers that they will not use ESLs for dynamic pricing. Tlaib also raised concerns about facial recognition technology, which Kroger claims to have discontinued after a one-store pilot in 2019. The company denies any plans to use facial recognition in the future. The concerns about ESLs and facial recognition technology have sparked a wider debate about the potential risks and benefits of these technologies in grocery stores. Industry leaders argue that ESLs can help stores cut down on waste and improve efficiency, but government officials and media are raising red flags about the potential for misuse.