Home Depot And Lowe’s Face Backlash Over Surveillance Practices

(KMDL-FM) There is a fine line between "nothing to hide" and "I'd like you to respect my privacy". For most of us, we understand that retail outlets have to keep a watchful eye on those who enter and shop at their stores. But are you comfortable with a retailer literally tracking you, your license plate, and every movement you make from the time you enter the parking lot until the time you leave?

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Some would say to that query, if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to hide. In the eyes of the law, that might be true, but don't you feel a little creeped out knowing that if you needed to do some nasal adjusting or pull your pants out of the crack of your behind, it wouldn't be live in front of a studio audience.

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You've probably guessed that the reason massive retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot have gone to these clandestine lengths is loss prevention and store security. I've seen one estimate that suggests Lowe's and Home Depot suffer theft losses in the tens of millions of dollars every year.

Because some of those thefts in some of the larger metro areas of the country were being executed by figures connected with organized gangs, the companies felt that monitoring the coming and going of vehicles in the parking lot would enhance store security.

The license plate reading system rolled out by both Home Depot and Lowe's was developed by Flock Safety. Perhaps you've seen those cameras mounted on poles that are powered by solar panels? Those devices scan automobile license plates as cars drive into and out of the parking lot.

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Both Home Depot and Lowe's have statements on their websites that address the cameras, their use, and who has access to the data collected by the cameras. It's the data collected and who can see it that those with personal freedom issues get upset.

There is a class action suit that has been filed against Home Depot over the cameras and their use. The lawsuit suggests that consent to film was not obtained, and the cameras do not offer proper safeguards in regard to personal privacy.

Some customers that we discussed the cameras with told us it was no big deal. While others suggested that Ace Hardware or Harbor Freight would be their new choices for home improvement products.

Just in case you haven't figured it out, you're being watched almost everywhere you go. Between municipal cameras, traffic cameras, redlight cameras, doorbell cameras, and folks with cameras on their phones, it's just easier to go through life in such a way that you don't give anyone a reason to point, aim, and shoot.

Oh, and if you don't mind being filmed, these items are on sale right now.