Delaware

Wegmans confirms it’s collecting biometric data. What Delaware law says

Published

4 weeks ago

January 29, 2026

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Wegmans confirms it’s collecting biometric data. What Delaware law says

Wegmans acknowledged using facial recognition technology for security in a limited number of stores.
The company states the technology is only used to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct.
Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act requires businesses to get consent before collecting sensitive data like biometrics.

In January, reports of signs notifying shoppers that their biometric data was being collected at a Wegmans store in New York City prompted the grocery chain to acknowledge that it uses facial recognition technology in a limited number of locations. The company says the cameras are part of its security strategy, but the disclosures have raised questions about whether similar surveillance are being used in other states, including Delaware.

In a statement issued after the signage drew public attention, Wegmans said facial recognition technology is used only in “a small fraction of our stores located in communities that exhibit an elevated risk.” According to the Rochester, New York-based retailer, the system collects facial recognition data only to identify individuals who have previously been flagged for misconduct.

Wegmans said it does not collect other forms of biometric data such as retinal scans or voice prints, and that images and video are retained only as long as needed for security purposes before being discarded.

When asked by Delaware Online/The News Journal whether facial recognition is used at its lone Delaware location, Wegmans did not provide a direct answer. Marcie Rivera, a spokesperson for the chain, said the company follows a single privacy policy for all shoppers nationwide. She noted the policy incorporates the privacy requirements of every state where the company operates, including Delaware.

How Delaware law protects personal data collection

All businesses operating in the First State are required to comply with Delaware’s Personal Data Privacy Act, which took effect in January 2025. Whether online or in person, the statute allows residents to opt-out of the collection of covered personal information and requires businesses to obtain consent before collecting sensitive personal data.

Personal data is defined as any information that can be linked to an identifiable individual, excluding publicly available information. This includes a name, address, phone number, email, mobile or computer device identifier.

Businesses must obtain a consumer’s expressed consent before collecting or sharing sensitive personal information, including data related to race or ethnic origin, health conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or biometric data.

The law does not automatically classify photographs, audio recordings or video recordings as protected personal data. These materials are covered only when used to identify a specific individual. Facial recognition technology, which analyzes images to match or identify a person, may therefore fall under the law depending on how it is used.

Your rights as a consumer

Even when a regulated business does not post signs about data collection, Delaware residents have the right to investigate whether a company is collecting their personal information.

Under the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act, consumers are allowed to ask a business to:

Confirm whether it is processing their personal data.
Access that personal data (unless doing so would reveal a trade secret).
Correct inaccuracies.
Request deletion of personal data collected or obtained about them.
Obtain a list of third parties that have received their data.

Delawareans can also opt out of targeted advertising and limit the sale of their personal information. Parents or legal guardians may exercise these rights on behalf of their children.

Requests can be made through the contact methods provided in a company’s privacy notice. Under the act, businesses may deny a consumer’s request if complying would interfere with efforts to respond to or prevent security incidents, identity theft or fraud.

Consumers have the right to appeal any decision that denies a request. If the appeal is rejected, the business must provide information that allows the consumer to contact the Attorney General’s Office to file a complaint.

Enforcement and resources

The Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act applies to companies that conduct business in Delaware or offer products or services targeted to Delaware residents and that, during the previous year, either controlled or processed the personal data of:

at least 35,000 consumers; or
10,000 or more consumers and earned more than 20% of gross revenue from the sale of personal data.

Service providers that manage or process data on behalf of those companies are also included.

Enforcement of the law is handled by the Delaware Department of Justice through its Fraud and Consumer Protection Division. Residents can learn more about their privacy rights at privacy.delaware.gov. Concerns about business data practices or unresolved complaints can be directed to the department’s privacy team through the contact information listed on the site.

To share your community news and activities with our audience, join Delaware Voices Uplifted on Facebook. Nonprofits, community groups and service providers are welcome to submit their information to be added to our Community Resources Map. Contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

Published

31 seconds ago

February 27, 2026

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Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Elon Musk-inspired overhaul of state law that governs most major US corporations, handing a win to company founders, insiders and private equity owners who sought less restrictive business rules.

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Delaware

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Published

12 hours ago

February 27, 2026

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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

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Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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