The little round cameras at Walmart

This blog is not about a Christian topic. It's about something that irks me. Please forgive the digression.

I noticed something about Walmart. Most of their older stores and all their newer stores, that I have visited, have cameras above each check out counter. Little black, round "security" cameras are situated high above the PIN-pad machines where throngs of customers punch in their security codes when purchasing merchandise with their Interac cards. The cameras are sometimes directly over the PIN-pad and sometimes slightly off to one side.

Look up!

When I first noticed these potentially invasive little cameras, I took exception to where they were/are situated (above PIN-pads) and asked to talk to the store management. The manager was summoned. "Is that a camera?" I asked, pointing up to the little sphere above. He confirmed that's what it was/is. I expressed my concern about a camera that could record my Personal Identification Number (P.I.N.), and potentially compromise my security.

The manager told me in polite but no uncertain terms that Walmart reserves the right to gather this Personal Identification Number information from their customers. Really?! And do they also think they can gather P.I.N. numbers without notifying customers? That is exactly what the silent little cameras perched high above the check-outs most certainly is capable of doing if a customer is not meticulous to hid their transaction.

A security-conscious customer may take the time and check to see nobody around him is watching him punch in his PIN -- but does he look up?

Snarky customer,
snarky manager

The Walmart manager did not appreciate my increasingly animated desire to protect my personal information. He grew indignant and rose to his full height of well over 5'3" then reminded me that if I didn't like the way Walmart conducted its business, I was welcome to shop elsewhere.

Their "security" camera may indeed make things secure for Walmart. But if the huffy little manager is correct with his statement that Walmart reserves a right to know my P.I.N. number, then that makes me insecure!

Why does this massive corporation think they have a right to sensitive and personal information of mine? What gives them this right and what will they do with it? Who within the corporation has access to my PIN number once secured by an intrusive little camera at a tardy moment when I forgot to hover over the pad like a hawk, with my hand guarding my transaction details?

Next time you are standing in line at Walmart, waiting to pay for merchandise, look up above the PIN-pad. Is there a little black, round camera above it? If so, protect your information not only from the eyes of people around you, but also the eye of the corporation directly above you. Tell the customer behind you to do the same.

Walmart has a right to be paid for merchandise but they do not have a right to know your P.I.N.

Even nobodies like me are entitled to privacy and no intrusions into our personal security.

MP