Facial recognition technology use at stadiums across U.S. sparks protests
Before entering a Mets game, some ticket-holders now pass through scanners that collect and review images of their faces.
Outside of Citi Field in Queens, New York, a small group of protesters gathered Wednesday to push back on the growing use of facial recognition scanning.
A group of eight people with the nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future and the New York-based nonprofit Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) protested against facial recognition scanning and other biometric data collection outside a Mets game, trying to raise awareness among attendees about what was happening to some ticket-holders when they stepped into the stadium.
Before entering a Mets game, some ticket-holders now pass through scanners that collect and review images of their faces. At least 21 stadiums and arenas across the country have installed the technology, Slate reported. Some locations like Citi Field only scan faces of certain ticket-holders who opt in to use of the technology, buying into the promise of shorter lines and quicker concession stand interactions. Five other baseball stadiums — in Philadelphia; Kansas City, Missouri; San Francisco; Houston; and Washington, D.C. — have introduced the same program. Other venues, like Madison Square Garden, use the technology on everyone who comes inside.
Digital rights groups say facial recognition scanning is poised to make errors and threatens privacy, safety and data security.
A demonstration held by Fight for the Future and the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project outside Citi Field. Kat Tenbarge / NBC NewsThe groups protesting the use of the technology are calling for Major League Baseball and other sports leagues to stop using it.
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