Outside Citi Field in Queens, New York, a group of activists gathered to protest the implementation of facial recognition technology at sports venues. Slate reports that the demonstration took place as thousands of Mets fans attended a game, many unaware of the privacy concerns being raised.
Rollout of Facial Recognition Systems
Major League Baseball has introduced a facial recognition program called Go-Ahead Entry, enabling fans to bypass traditional security lines by uploading a selfie to the MLB Ballpark app. The system is then used for entry at designated kiosks among six MLB teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. The Mets have their facial recognition initiative, Mets Entry Express, using Wicket's technology, while the Cleveland Guardians use Clear's tech for quick access.
Privacy advocates have raised alarms over the potential misuse of these systems. STOP's Executive Director, Albert Fox Cahn, told NBC that facial recognition could be accessed by law enforcement without public approval. He proposed other methods like RFID or Bluetooth-enabled tickets to expedite entry without jeopardizing privacy.
Public Awareness and Reaction
According to David Siffert, Legal Director at STOP, many fans were initially not aware of the facial recognition systems. However, groups like Fight for the Future and Amnesty International informed them, leading to concerns. Activists handed out flyers to educate the public about privacy risks.
The controversy surrounding facial recognition extends beyond MLB and NFL venues. For instance, Radio City Music Hall reportedly used facial recognition to block a lawyer from an event due to her firm's litigation with the venue's owner, MSG Entertainment. The dismissed case highlights potential misuse risks.
Future Implications
The ongoing protests and legislative calls reflect concerns over the deployment of facial recognition in public spaces. Advocates are pushing for transparency and stringent regulations to safeguard personal privacy as more venues adopt these technologies.
Facial recognition has made its way into at least 21 sports venues across the U.S. Specific locations like Citi Field scan only opted-in ticket holders, streamlining security and concession stand interactions. Conversely, venues such as Madison Square Garden scan everyone entering.
Advocacy and Legislation
Digital rights advocates argue facial recognition is often inaccurate and poses privacy, safety, and data security issues. Efforts are underway in the New York City Council to regulate facial recognition software. Two proposed bills aim to ban its use for verifying or identifying individuals in public settings and residential buildings.
Wednesday's protest at Citi Field is part of a series led by Fight for the Future, with more demonstrations planned at stadiums nationwide. The group previously protested outside a Phillies game in Philadelphia where facial recognition is used for some ticketing.
Last Updated on August 27, 2024 2:42 pm CEST
