Lowe’s Sued Over Alleged Illegal Collection of Consumers’ Voiceprints
A class action alleges Lowe’s collected voiceprints without consent under Illinois law.
Why it matters: Biometric data privacy laws like Illinois’ BIPA impose strict consent requirements. Retailers risk costly litigation if they collect biometric data without notifying and obtaining consent from consumers.
- Lawsuit filed September 11, 2026, claims Lowe’s violated Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting voiceprints without consent.
- The Lowe’s suit follows a similar August 2026 class action against Walmart over illegal voiceprint collection during customer service calls.
- Illinois BIPA requires written notice and consumer consent before biometric data collection, including voiceprints.
- Walmart has faced multiple BIPA lawsuits, including a 2022 suit over in-store biometric data collection practices.
On September 11, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed against Lowe's, accusing the company of collecting consumers' voiceprints without obtaining the required consent under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This lawsuit alleges Lowe’s violated Illinois law by failing to provide notice and secure written consent before capturing biometric voice data.
This follows a similar legal challenge against Walmart filed in August 2026. Plaintiffs Carol J. Krupke and Jeanne Thomas claimed Walmart’s AI system recorded customer service calls, isolated vocal characteristics, and generated biometric voiceprints without notifying customers or obtaining consent.
BIPA mandates companies to implement strict procedures around biometric data, including voiceprints, to protect consumer privacy. The law requires written notice and informed consent before collecting such data. Failure to comply can expose businesses to significant legal liabilities, as demonstrated by the growing number of class actions against major retailers.
Walmart has previously faced BIPA lawsuits, including a 2022 class action alleging that the company collected biometric data from shoppers through in-store security cameras without consent. The persistence of these cases highlights heightened scrutiny over retailers’ biometric data practices, especially in Illinois.
These developments signal an increased risk of litigation for retailers using AI and biometric technologies. Compliance with biometric data privacy laws is critical to avoid penalties and reputational harm.
By the numbers:
- September 11, 2026 — Date of Lowe’s class action filing
- August 2026 — Month Walmart’s similar voiceprint lawsuit was filed
- 2022 — Year Walmart faced an earlier BIPA class action over in-store biometric data