Privacy advocates and musicians staged a rally outside Madison Square Garden, calling for new legislation that would ban the use of facial recognition technology in public venues across New York City. City Council member Shahana Hanif led the rally and emphasized the need to protect citizens from what she describes as the abusive use of biometric surveillance by the venue and its CEO, James Dolan.
Hanif introduced a bill earlier this year aimed at prohibiting such technology, which has been criticized for its potential to create watch lists targeting fans who voice criticism against Dolan or the New York Knicks. Reports indicate that MSG has maintained databases to track even the most mundane activities of patrons, leading to bans on those involved in legal disputes with Dolan.
At the press conference, various speakers, including musicians and privacy advocates, echoed Hanif’s concerns. They highlighted the invasive nature of the surveillance, particularly how data collection by MSG extends to assessing the background and personal details about attendees, such as their race and sexual orientation.
The "Ban the Scan" bill has gained traction, receiving endorsements from over half of the City Council, and discussions are ongoing to potentially advance the legislation. Hanif expressed her worries particularly given Dolan’s associations with political figures and the potential implications this has for public safety.
An MSG representative countered that facial recognition is simply a digital extension of longstanding human behavior. However, Hanif countered that societal safety is undermined by these surveillance tools, which are often marketed as protective measures.
