Are Delivery Robots Scanning You Into a Database Scarier Than Flock?

Recent lawsuits filed by Chicago residents are raising concerns that delivery robots, such as those from Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics, may be collecting sensitive biometric data without consent. The robots are equipped with cameras and sensors that help them navigate urban environments while delivering packages. According to the Associated Press, the plaintiffs in these cases claim they were unaware they were being recorded or had their data collected, as they did not request or consent to a robot delivery.

The lawsuits allege that the robots recorded details about individuals' hands, bodies, and faces as they approached their deliveries. Furthermore, one lawsuit claims that a remote human operator watched the delivery in real-time. Both Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics have disputed these claims, arguing that their robots do not collect biometric data and that any shared data is used for navigational purposes, like helping blind or low-vision users.

Illinois has strict laws protecting against the nonconsensual collection of biometric data, which makes these lawsuits particularly significant. As technology continues to advance, the potential for our personal data to be collected and used without our knowledge or consent increases, posing concerns for privacy and security in an increasingly automated world.