Customers visiting Walmart stores across the U.S. have recently noticed a small, box-shaped device bolted underneath shopping carts, and many are wondering what the boxes do and if they should be concerned. Online speculation has run rampant, with videos of shoppers discovering the devices going viral on platforms like TikTok and Reddit.

Theories surrounding the Walmart shopping cart device have ranged from hilarious to concerning, with retail privacy concerns taking center stage. Whether you’ve found one of these devices on your cart the last time you went to Walmart or you’re just concerned based on posts you’ve seen on social media, learn more about the Walmart tech rollout today.

What the Device Likely Is: A Cart Location Tracker

As of January 21, 2026, Walmart had still not released an official statement to clarify what the devices are. However, despite concerns that the device might spy on shoppers, it’s far more likely that the Walmart tech rollout is about tracking the location of carts within their stores. According to reporting on the phenomenon, the box is consistent with a MOKOSmart LW008-MTP LoRaWAN GPS tracker, a type of low-power device that uses GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to monitor the physical location of an object in real time.

Contrary to what you may have read or heard, there’s no reason to believe that the devices are recording barcodes to track customer purchases. Walmart’s point-of-sale (POS) system already does that, so it seems unlikely that the devices would replicate the process. Instead, the company is most likely tracking what parts of the store receive the heaviest traffic while also investing in technology that will allow it to locate carts that get taken off the property.

Why People Are Worried, and Where Concern Comes From

Even if the device isn’t scanning what you put into your cart, it highlights concerns about customer data. Shoppers are already being tracked through loyalty programs, high-end POS systems, mobile payment options, and digital coupons. Customer advocates are concerned that implanting more trackers and sensors could erode privacy standards, even if they aren’t currently monitoring purchasing habits.

There are also concerns surrounding Walmart’s silence on the topic. The company has not publicly confirmed that these devices are GPS trackers for carts, what information they collect, or how that data might be used. In the absence of clear messaging, social-media speculation fills the gap with misinformation, which results in more anxiety among consumers.

Retailers’ Perspective: Asset Management and Loss Prevention

Obviously, Walmart didn’t invest in this technology for no reason. Based on multiple studies, millions of shopping carts are lost or stolen each year. If the devices are monitoring the location of these carts, the company stands to save a significant amount of money on stolen shopping carts.

Past patent filings from Walmart have shown interest in technologies that could further help stores manage physical assets and potentially detect anomalies in cart movement. While not directly tied to the current device sightings, it underscores that the company has explored asset tracking and even biometric cart technologies in the past. Companies spend millions each year on studying customer movement within their stores. This impacts product placement, pricing models, and more.

Is Privacy Protection Already in Place?

Walmart is already governed by privacy policies that not only include self-imposed regulations, but also government oversight. Walmart’s published privacy notices outline categories of data that could be collected in some circumstances and the rights customers have in certain states like California under privacy laws.

However, current laws focus primarily on personal information that is tied to certain identifying factors, such as name, purchase histories, email addresses, and more. According to some data privacy experts, this could potentially create a gray area in which technology could overstep without triggering existing privacy protections.

How to Think About This as a Shopper

Walmart has over 5,200 locations in the US, which means you probably shop at the retail giant at least semi-regularly. As a shopper, it’s important to understand that your personal information and shopping data probably isn’t being scanned and recorded by these new devices. The Walmart tech rollout seems much more focused on tracking and protecting shopping carts.

If you’re still concerned about privacy, take the time to review Walmart’s privacy notices or inquire at customer service about in-store technology. Understanding what’s happening helps separate legitimate concerns from misinformation while ensuring that technological innovation doesn’t come at the expense of customer trust.

The Future of Shopping

The mysterious devices that Walmart shoppers are finding on their carts are most likely nothing to be concerned about. Still, that doesn’t mean that it’s not logical to have concerns, especially in the technological era that we’re living in. Protecting your data whenever it’s possible to do so is generally the right move. However, it’s also important to note that companies have a right to protect their assets. Companies like Walmart are generally trendsetters within the retail sector, so it’s safe to assume that this type of technology will likely start popping up in other stores.