Fast food giant Panera Bread offers customers a new contactless payment method: palm-scanning. The franchise plans on utilizing Amazon One’s “cloud” technology, which stores customers’ sensitive biometric data in an online database.
Though Amazon One’s palm-scanning technology has been seen at Whole Foods and Amazon Go stores, Panera claims to be the “first national restaurant” to use it. The Mexican-inspired chain has only implemented the system in St. Louis thus far, with plans to spread it across the country shortly.
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A recent press release from the company describes the process and what customers can expect after signing up and providing their information.
“Amazon One will bring an even more personalized touch to the Panera dining experience. Guests who link their MyPanera account to Amazon One will enjoy the convenience of fast payments, as well as tailored meal recommendations from Panera associates based on their preferences and previous orders.”
The press release also claimed that the new payment method will allow “Panera associates” to see customer names in what Panera describes as the transformation of “the guest experience into a true and meaningful relationship.” CEO Niren Chaudhary claimed the new technology would have several benefits.
“Collaborating with Amazon Web Services to bring this service into our bakery-cafes is a natural extension of the tech-forward, guest-centric digital thinking that Panera is known for. Our philosophy has been centered around leveraging best-in-class technology to create a better Panera experience and using that to deepen our relationship with our loyal guests. Introducing Amazon One, as a frictionless, personalized, and convenient service, is another way we’re redefining the loyalty experience.”
The fast food chain devoted a small portion of the release to addressing the security concerns associated with storing biometric data, saying, “Any private and personal data shared via Amazon One is securely stored and protected by multiple security controls, and palm images are never stored on the Amazon One device.” The release continues, claiming that using the biometric data-based payment system is voluntary and entirely at the customer’s discretion.
Some consumers aren’t convinced by the company’s explanation, however. Many Panera patrons have flocked to Twitter to vent their frustration with implementing ALM scanners.
@panerabread I didn’t want to have to stop eating there, but you forced me to. Thanks for nothing. It’s eating food, not joining a top secret mission going to space. You don’t need palm scanners!
— Monica (@amazed_am_i) March 25, 2023
Join your fellow patriots and subscribe to our Youtube channel.
Well Panera you lost a customer.
— Renee Jennifer 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@ReneeJennifer3) March 25, 2023
Organizations dedicated to preserving internet privacy are also becoming increasingly worried about the proliferation of this technology. Digital rights advocacy group “Fight for the Future” has expressed concern over Panera’s decision to implement the biometric scan payment method and has challenged Amazon and Panera’s claims of high security, according to CBS News.
“Federal agencies like Customs and Border Protection have experienced devastating hacks where large databases of biometric information have been stolen. Do we really expect Amazon, or Panera, to have better cybersecurity practices?”
The contentious history of biometric data scanning could also be behind the mixed feelings toward the new payment approach. This controversy comes just a week after a lawsuit was filed against Amazon One over alleged palm/body scan privacy violations, further compounding public scrutiny and distrust in the new technology.
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