N.Y. AG Queries MSG on Use of Facial Recognition Tech in Venues

Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall’s use of facial recognition technology could violate human rights law, said New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) in a letter to the venues’ owner MSG Entertainment Tuesday requesting information on the company’s use of facial recognition technology to prohibit legitimate ticketholders from entering their venues. The company reportedly used facial recognition tech to identify and deny entry to all lawyers affiliated with firms representing clients in pending litigation against it, which could violate local, state and federal human rights laws, said the letter. James also questioned whether the facial recognition software used by MSG “is reliable” and what safeguards are in place to avoid bias and discrimination. “To be clear," MSG's policy "does not unlawfully prohibit anyone from entering our venues and it is not our intent to dissuade attorneys from representing plaintiffs in litigation against us," emailed an MSG spokesperson Wednesday. "We are merely excluding a small percentage of lawyers only during active litigation. Most importantly, to even suggest anyone is being excluded based on the protected classes identified in state and federal civil rights laws is ludicrous. Our policy has never applied to attorneys representing plaintiffs who allege sexual harassment or employment discrimination.”