S.T.O.P. Demands MSG Entertainment End Use Of Facial Recognition

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release   S.T.O.P. Demands MSG Entertainment End Use Of Facial Recognition (New York, NY, 12/21/2022) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, demands Madison Square Garden Entertainment end use of facial recognition at its venues. Radio City, part of MSG, recently booted a lawyer immediately upon entering a Rockettes holiday show with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop because her firm is in litigation against MSG. The lawyer does not practice in New York and had no prior knowledge of the case until confronted by security. S.T.O.P. stated the incident highlights how venues can weaponize facial recognition to discriminate against patrons and retaliate against perceived whistleblowers. SEE: NBC New York - Face Recognition Tech Gets Girl Scout Mom Booted From Rockettes Show — Due to Where She Works https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/face-recognition-tech-gets-girl-scout-mom-booted-from-rockettes-show-due-to-her-employer/4004677/ “Radio City is on Santa’s surveillance naughty list,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn.  “Mass surveillance isn’t exactly in the holiday spirit. These technologies are ripe for abuse, and it’s long past time that New York City outlaw facial recognition. Giving companies, the wealthy, and the government the ability to track nearly anyone at any time is a recipe for disaster. No one should fear that they’ll be banned from public life simply because they fight for their client’s rights in court. I’m terrified of a world where every corporation can retaliate against whistleblowers and even those leaving bad reviews by banning them going forward.” Yesterday, MSG doubled down the mother’s removal, claiming her presence created an “inherently adverse environment.” In September, S.T.O.P. condemned the New York Mets’ implementation of a facial recognition ticketing system and launched a petition for its immediate removal from ticket stands. SEE: Ars Technica - MSG defends using facial recognition to kick lawyer out of Rockettes show https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/12/facial-recognition-flags-girl-scout-mom-as-security-risk-at-rockettes-show/ Press Release - S.T.O.P. Launches Campaign Condemning NY Mets’ Facial Recognition Ticketing https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2022/9/21/stop-launches-campaign-condemning-ny-mets-facial-recognition-ticketing The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.