This kid working at Target is telling us that he noticed that there are now trackers on the baskets with internet. Not just on the baskets, they’re also trackers on the carts.
2023 Patent Biosignal Sensing Device Using Dynamic Selection of Electrodes
Back in 2023, they filed for this patent. Patent explicitly states that it travels with you through the store up and down aisles. It can tell how long you’re looking at items. It can tell what items you’ve put into your cart or taken out. In this patent, it explicitly states that it’s connecting to your cell phone, specifically if you have the app, but even if you don’t, it quite literally will gain access to every detail about you that it’s pulling out of your cell phone. Every movement that you make within the stores, it gets worse.
Target Bluetooth Beacon Technology Connected to Your Cell Phone
Back in 2017, they actually went through and strategically replaced all of their lightings with a specific Bluetooth beacon technology, is what they’re calling it. Bluetooth in the ceiling, in the lighting, is connecting with your cell phone and the baskets. Again, it’s worse if you have the app, but you don’t need the app for it to do it. It will just connect to your cell phone using Bluetooth or this LED technology.
Stores Updating their Privacy Policy Including Target
They have noticed recently that a lot of these stores are coming out with updated privacy policies, and Target actually updated theirs on August 15th. Privacy policy now explicitly states, it lists in-store location as geolocation data that it’s collecting.
Updated Target Privacy Policy
It states that it automatically collects your information during your interactions inside Target stores. It says it may link or merge your in-store activity with your Target app, website activity, ads, and email. It says that it’s using your Bluetooth signal LED light chip technologies and other technologies that can be used for in-store location, and it’s linking your various devices, not just your cell phone, but your watches and any other smart device that you have on.
Tech Crunch – Target rolls out Bluetooth beacon technology in stores to power new indoor maps in its app
Blecaon – What are Bluetooth Beacons?
Target – Privacy Policy
