NYC Councilmember Leads Push to Ban Facial-Recognition at Madison Square Garden
Privacy activists and Councilmember Shahana Hanif rallied outside Madison Square Garden demanding a city bill that would prohibit facial-recognition use in the arena and other New York venues.
On Friday, a coalition of privacy advocates, musicians and city officials assembled outside Madison Square Garden to press for legislation that would ban facial-recognition technology in the venue and other public spaces across New York City. Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who introduced the “Ban the Scan” bill in January, accused MSG and its chief James Dolan of misusing biometric data, citing reports that the arena tracks fans’ movements and keeps risk scores on hundreds of celebrities, including details such as race and sexual orientation.
The protest featured country singer Paisley Fields, a delegate from NYC DSA Tech Action and members of the digital-rights group Fight for the Future. Hanif said the proposal now enjoys 27 endorsements, with a majority of council members supporting it, and that talks are underway with Speaker Julie Menin to advance the measure. MSG responded by saying electronic facial recognition is simply a modern extension of a long-standing human practice. The controversy also references Dolan’s ties to President Donald Trump, which Hanif says heightens concerns about data collection.
Why it matters
The bill could set a precedent for limiting biometric surveillance in public venues nationwide.
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