Walmart faces class action over alleged illegal voiceprint collection from callers
A group of shoppers has filed a class-action lawsuit claiming Walmart records voiceprints without the required consent under Illinois biometric law.
Illinois residents have initiated a class-action suit accusing Walmart of secretly generating voiceprints whenever consumers call its customer-service hotline. The plaintiffs contend that Walmart’s AI system captures a biometric identifier without providing the written notice, purpose description, or release that the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act mandates. Although Walmart’s privacy policy, revised on June 18, 2026, acknowledges the use of call-recording technology to collect personal data, the complainants argue the policy falls short of state requirements.
They are pursuing statutory damages ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for each alleged breach. The filing references prior Illinois biometric cases, including a 2023 ruling that awarded $9.39 million to White Castle employees. A Walmart spokesperson declined to comment when approached for comment.
Why it matters
The case could reshape how large retailers handle biometric data and enforce state privacy protections.
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