Have a fear of being perceived? Then you probably won’t like Walmart’s new policy that has both shoppers and workers on edge. As if self-checkout cameras and the numerous dome cameras dotting the ceiling weren’t enough, now you’ll be recorded by workers themselves due to the new body cameras the retail giant is testing.
A Walmart worker revealed this in a viral TikTok, which earned over 2 million views as of Tuesday.
TikToker @codlineeee records several Walmart employees wearing the new yellow-colored cameras attached to their vests.
“Y’all got one last straw at Walmart,” the person filming says to the camera. “They recording y’all now.” The creator added in the on-screen caption, “Walmart put body cameras on employees for aggressive customers.”
But viewers think there’s another reason employees are forced to don the body cams.
‘They watching y’all’
Several thought the TikToker–and her co-workers–were mistaken about who was truly being watched.
“Those are mostly for y’all,” a top comment read, while another added, “They watching yall not us.”
A third user asked whether workers can turn it off when they want.
“[Yeah] and you have to double click in order to actually start recording but I believe they record even tho cause they tell us not take it to the bathroom to actually shut it down completely,” @codlineeee replied.
@codlineeee ???????? #walmart #bodycam #funny #fypシ ♬ Get Down On It – Kool & The Gang
Do Walmart workers wear body cameras now?
In December 2024, CNBC reported how Walmart was launching body cameras for workers as part of a pilot program. Back then, the company told the news outlet it was only testing it in some markets.
A spokesperson for Walmart told CNBC that “we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry.”
The outlet cites theft and shoplifting as reasons why retailers are now resorting to using body cameras. While loss prevention was a main reason for the surveillance, outlets state the retailer also cited worker safety.
In a post shared to the r/Walmart subreddit, a user revealed a flier explaining to workers how to use the cameras. The poster was titled, “Providing great customer service while creating a safer environment.”
But not everyone was on board.
Under that post, Redditors warned workers to be careful when using the device.
“Just remember it is always recording, so do not talk about other people, rude customers, and be careful what you are texting or looking at on your phone,” one user wrote, before adding, “Big brother is always watching.”
It is unclear whether Walmart has implemented this policy across all stores. The pilot program in December was mostly limited to Texas locations.
Are other stores using body cameras?
Yes. According to USA Today, TJX Companies–the parent company of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods–also employed body cameras last year. The outlet cited TJX chief financial officer’s statement to the company during an earnings call in May: “It’s almost like a de-escalation where people are less likely to do something when they’re being videotaped,” CFO John Klinger said.
The Mary Sue reached out to the TikToker via TikTok direct message. We also reached out to Walmart via media contact form.
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