Amazon to Retire Palm-Scanning Checkout System Nationwide, Ending Biometric Retail Push
Amazon is winding down one of its most ambitious in-store experiments. The company confirmed it will discontinue its Amazon One palm-scanning payment and entry technology at all retail outlets across the United States, with a complete shutdown scheduled for June 3, 2026.
The service, which allowed customers to authorize payments or gain venue access with a wave of their hand, will be removed from Amazon-owned stores and third-party partner locations. An Amazon spokesperson attributed the decision to "limited customer adoption," stating the company is refocusing its efforts on its core grocery formats and delivery operations.
Launched in 2020 at two Seattle Amazon Go stores, Amazon One later expanded to sports arenas, airports, and over 500 Whole Foods Market locations. Its retirement marks a significant retreat from the biometric authentication space in retail, a sector where Amazon was an early and prominent player.
Data & Transition: According to Amazon, all customer data linked to the service—including palm imagery, payment details, and transaction records—will be securely deleted upon full decommissioning. Active users will receive direct notifications about the phase-out. Until June 2026, traditional payment methods like credit cards and QR codes will remain in use at affected sites.
Broader Retail Consolidation: This move is part of a larger consolidation of Amazon's physical retail footprint. The company recently announced plans to shutter all its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores to double down on the Whole Foods Market brand and online grocery delivery. Some locations are expected to be converted to Whole Foods stores.
Privacy Legacy & Future Use: Amazon One faced sustained scrutiny from privacy advocates and regulators concerned over the cloud storage of sensitive biometric data. Despite the retail exit, the technology will persist in limited applications; Amazon stated it will continue to support Amazon One for patient check-in at existing healthcare facilities already using the system.
Reactions & Analysis
Marcus Chen, Retail Technology Analyst: "This was inevitable. The value proposition for consumers wasn't strong enough to overcome the friction of enrollment and privacy hesitancy. Amazon is wisely cutting its losses and redirecting resources to areas with clearer demand, like ultrafast delivery."
David Rivera, Small Business Owner: "As a retailer who tested this, it was a novelty that rarely got used. I'm not surprised. Customers just want a fast, reliable checkout—they don't necessarily want to link their biometrics to their shopping cart."
Eleanor Vance, Privacy Advocate with 'Digital Rights Watch': "Good riddance. This was a solution in search of a problem, built to harvest extremely sensitive data under the guise of convenience. Its failure is a victory for consumer privacy and a warning to other companies pushing invasive biometric surveillance into everyday life."
Dr. Aris Thorne, Tech Ethicist: "The shutdown offers a critical case study. It highlights the gap between technological capability and societal acceptance, especially concerning bodily data. The limited rollout in healthcare suggests Amazon sees a more legitimate, consent-driven path for the technology there."