One example of this from a quick search: https://privacysos.org/blog/target-is-really-really-into-surveillance/ https://privacysos.org/blog/target-is-really-rea

One example of this from a quick search: https://privacysos.org/blog/target-is-really-really-into-surveillance/ https://privacysos.org/blog/target-is-really-really-into-sur... More information on some of Target's loss prevention techniques: https://www.businessinsider.com/target-employees-say-store-doesnt-stop-all-shoplifters-2020-12 https://www.businessinsider.com/target-employees-say-store-d... (Archive link: https://archive.is/wRol8 https://archive.is/wRol8) I'd heard that they wait until losses reach above the felony threshold before prosecuting, documenting what particular individuals are stealing. Several videos about this had gone viral, and I'd heard about it from a friend but never looked into it until now. From the Business Insider interview with several anonymous employees, though, the intent of the surveillance is more to catch high volume thieves, employees stealing, and career shoplifters, rather than folks stealing a few necessities. I could see most of their prosecutions rising to the felony threshold because of this tactic, since high volume is likely to cross the dollar amount for a felony. In other words, the intent is not being punitive for the sake of it, but actual loss prevention. I tend to believe the anonymous sources, because they have nothing to gain from talking anonymously with the reporter, versus the influencers who are trying to accumulate followers. It's not a Les Miserables type situation. A lot of the commenters on one particular video linked from the article seem to be pro-shoplifting, even without need, so there is to some extent people believing what they want to believe: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodessy/video/6899962247590743301 https://www.tiktok.com/@jodessy/video/6899962247590743301 Examples: "All I'm hearing is I have $499 in store credit" - 1700 likes "I'm sorry but what?? I've stolen CELL PHONES from target" - 242 likes "I def stole over $20k including but not limited to laptops, jbl speakers, ... only got probation so jokes on them!" - 103 likes Anyway, I just thought I'd share this even though it's only tangentially related to the story since I'd just previously believed the viral rumor without really looking into it.