Facial Recognition Used By Madison Square Garden Entertainment To Kick Out Adversaries
Key Points From This Article
- MSG Entertainment, a company that owns several famous performance spaces in New York City, has used facial recognition technology to enforce an “attorney exclusion list.”
- The list includes all firms’ attorneys representing clients suing the company.
- The use of facial recognition technology to enforce the list has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the potential for a privatized surveillance state.
- Some argue that using the technology to exclude the company’s critics sets a dangerous precedent and could pave the way for widespread abuse by other businesses.
- There have been legal challenges to using facial recognition technology by MSG Entertainment, with lawyers arguing that the exclusion list is forbidden.
- Facial recognition technology can revolutionize how businesses operate, particularly regarding security and customer experience.
Facial recognition technology is increasingly being used to prevent access in various settings, including retail stores, airports, and casinos. However, using facial recognition technology to exclude specific individuals from events and venues owned by Madison Square Garden Entertainment has raised significant concerns about privacy and the potential for a privatized surveillance state. This is because MSG Entertainment has used the technology to enforce an “attorney exclusion list,” which includes all attorneys at firms representing clients who are suing the company.
So, What Happened?
According to the New York Post, controversy began over Thanksgiving weekend when Kelly Conlon, a personal injury lawyer from New Jersey, was chaperoning her daughter’s Girl Scout troop on a trip to see the “Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall.
Upon arriving at the venue, Conlon was stopped by security guards who had identified her using a facial recognition system. They informed her that she was on an “attorney exclusion list” created by MSG Entertainment. MSG Entertainment owns Radio City and other performance spaces in the city, such as the Beacon Theater and Madison Square Garden.
The use of facial recognition technology to enforce the list has sparked outrage, not only from those who have been turned away from events at MSG Entertainment venues but also from civil liberties watchdogs. Some argue that using the technology to exclude the company’s critics sets a dangerous precedent and could pave the way for widespread abuse by other businesses.
Adam Schwartz, an attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, called it a “major jump forward that needs to be treated as radical.” He added that it was “punitive as opposed to protective”. He questioned whether companies would start using facial recognition to exclude individuals who had picketed the business or given it negative reviews.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Speaks Out in Defense
MSG Entertainment has defended its use of the technology, stating that it’s a useful and widely used safety tool at many sports and entertainment venues. However, the incident has sparked a national debate over the need for federal regulation of facial recognition technology, as some argue that the risks and abuses of the technology in the hands of private companies are too significant to be left unchecked.
The Growing Demand for Facial Recognition Systems
Facial recognition technology has grown more robust and accurate in recent years. Retailers have used it to identify shoplifters, airports have used it to check in travelers and usher them through security, and casinos have relied on it to keep out gamblers they believe may cheat. However, the use of technology to exclude critics of a company may be unprecedented, which is why it has raised serious concerns about the potential for abuse.
The Legal Challenges
There have also been legal challenges to using facial recognition technology by MSG Entertainment, with lawyers arguing that the exclusion list is forbidden. Despite these concerns, facial recognition technology remains legal in New York.
It remains unclear how the debate over its application will be settled. In the meantime, it’s essential for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and abuses of the technology and to advocate for stronger regulation and oversight to ensure that it is not used to violate the rights and privacy of individuals.
What Will Facial Recognition Look Like in the Future?
Facial recognition technology has the potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate, particularly in terms of security and customer experience. While there are valid concerns about the potential for abuse and invasion of privacy, the technology also offers significant benefits that could enhance the performance of a wide range of businesses.
One major advantage of facial recognition is its ability to improve security. For example, Amazon has implemented this technology in its warehouses to help reduce theft and improve safety. With this, the company can track their movements and ensure that only authorized personnel can access certain areas. This prevents theft and accidents, resulting in a safer and more secure working environment.
Facial recognition can also be used to enhance customer experience. For example, Microsoft has implemented this technology in its retail stores to help personalize customer shopping experiences. By using facial recognition to identify returning customers, the company provides personalized recommendations and special offers, making the shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable.
In addition to improving security and customer experience, facial recognition helps businesses streamline their operations. For example, many transportation hubs have begun using technology to speed up the check-in and boarding process. As such, facial recognition reduces bottlenecks and improves efficiency by eliminating the need for manual checks and manual handling of documents.
As stated earlier, there are two significant concerns about this technology. There is a risk that people and companies could use this technology to track individuals and monitor their movements, potentially violating their privacy. There are also concerns about the accuracy of facial recognition systems, particularly when identifying people of color and women.
To address these concerns, businesses must implement strong privacy and security measures to protect individuals’ personal information. This includes ensuring that facial recognition is only used for legitimate business purposes and that individuals are fully informed about how their data is collected and used.
