For Immediate Release
S.T.O.P. Renews Demand MSG STOP Facial Recognition After 3rd Lawyer Is Barred
(New York, NY, 1/14/2022) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, renewed its demand that Madison Square Garden Entertainment end use of facial recognition, following reports that a third attorney was barred by the company. S.T.O.P. reiterated its call for state and city bans on facial recognition at sporting events, concerts, and other public accommodations. The group noted that facial recognition is biased and error-prone and that these incidents highlight how venues can weaponize the technology to retaliate against whistleblowers and others exercising their legal rights.
SEE: NY Post - Third NYC lawyer booted from MSG by James Dolan’s facial recognition technology
https://nypost.com/2023/01/13/third-nyc-lawyer-booted-from-msg-by-james-dolans-facial-recognition-tech/
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/
“Who will actually go to court against the country’s largest companies if they can retaliate this way?” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “If MSG can do this to attorneys suing the company, they can also target employees and customers who sue the company for violating the law. It’s terrifying to think that other companies might follow suit, and that anytime you exercise your rights in court it will mean getting banned from public life. If New Yorkers can be banned from a Rangers game, they can be banned from the grocery store or the pharmacy. These technologies are ripe for abuse, and it’s long past time that the city and state ban them. Giving companies, the wealthy, and the government the ability to track nearly anyone at any time is a recipe for disaster.”
Last month, the civil rights group called on MSG to stop use of the controversial technology after MSG’s Radio City ejected a mom trying to watch the Rockettes with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. The lawyer does not practice in New York and didn’t know about the case until confronted by security. Later, MSG doubled down on 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
Earlier in the week, S.T.O.P. joined other civil rights groups and lawmakers in Albany to launch “Banning Big Brother: New York’s Surveillance Sanctuary State Blueprint,” a New York State anti-surveillance legislative campaign. The bill package includes a broad ban on facial recognition.
SEE: Release – S.T.O.P., Civil Rights Groups, & Lawmakers Launch NY Campaign To ‘Ban Big Brother’ Surveillance
https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/1/10/stop-civil-rights-groups-amp-lawmakers-launch-ny-campaign-to-ban-big-brother-surveillance
Spectrum News 1 - Groups urge lawmakers to ban surveillance tools used by law enforcement
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2023/01/09/groups-urge-lawmakers-to-ban-surveillance-tools-
Bloomberg Law - New York ‘Surveillance Sanctuary’ Bills, Campaign Unveiled
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/in-house-counsel/new-york-surveillance-sanctuary-bills-campaign-unveiled
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; .
|
|
|
|
