How much do you know about face recognition technology? A recent incident at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City has raised quite a few eyebrows. Critics claim that the technology is being used to identify potential enemies. In this case, by one of the most famous companies in the country.
A Girl Scout trip brought Kelly Conlon and her daughter to New York City on the weekend after thanksgiving to see the Christmas Spectacular show at the Radio City Music Hall. While they were queueing to see the show in the lobby, security guards approached Kelly. They had zeroed in on her. And while the rest of the troop, their mothers, and her own daughter were allowed access, Madison Square Garden Entertainment had seen her as a threat.
Asked to produce identification after Face Recognition Technology flagged their security team
“It was pretty simultaneous, I think, to me, going through the metal detector, that I heard over an intercom or loudspeaker,” she told NBC New York. “I heard them say woman with long dark hair and a grey scarf.” She was promptly asked to provide her name and some form of identification. “I believe they said that our recognition picked you up,” Conlon said.
“They knew my name before I told them. They knew the firm I was associated with before I told them,” said Kelly Conlon. “And they told me I was not allowed to be there.” https://t.co/jzvlMMZBp7
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) December 20, 2022
There is a sign up that states that facial recognition technology is used as a security measure in the lobby. This is to ensure the safety of all their guests and employees. Colton says that she posed absolutely no threat but they threw her out anyway, knowing she was an attorney. “They knew my name before I told them. They knew the firm I was associated with before I told them. And they told me I was not allowed to be there,” said Conlon.
There seems to be more to the case than they let off
Conlon is an associate with the New Jersey-based law firm, Davis, Saperstein and Solomon. The firm has for years been involved in a personal injury litigation against a restaurant venue now under the umbrella of MSG Entertainment. “I don’t practice in New York. I’m not an attorney that works on any cases against MSG,” said Conlon.
MSG Entertainment says that Conlon and all her fellow attorneys are banned nonetheless
“MSG instituted a straightforward policy that precludes attorneys pursuing active litigation against the Company from attending events at our venues until that litigation has been resolved. While we understand this policy is disappointing to some, we cannot ignore the fact that litigation creates an inherently adverse environment. All impacted attorneys were notified of the policy, including Davis, Saperstein and Salomon, which was notified twice.” A spokesperson for MSG Entertainment said in a statement.
“This whole scheme is a pretext for doing collective punishment on adversaries who would dare sue MSG in their multi-billion dollar network.” Said Sam Davis, a partner at the firm where Conlon works. There are other firms who have sued over being blacklisted. Conlon mentioned how she was absolutely certain that a recent judge ruling had made it clear that ticketholders like her “may not be denied entry to any shows,” even if flagged by Face Recognition Technology.
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MSG defends their choice to use Face Recognition Technology
MSG stated that “In this particular situation, only the one attorney who chose to attend was denied entry, and the rest of of her group — including the Girl Scouts — were all able to attend and enjoy the show.” Standing by their decision to implement the use of their security measures.
“I was just a mom taking my daughter to see a Christmas show,” Conlon told the I-Team. “I did wait outside…It was embarrassing, it was mortifying.” Davis has decided to now up the legal ante. She is actively challenging their license with the State Liquor Authority in a bid to seek resolve.
“The liquor license that MSG got requires them to admit members of the public, unless there are people who would be disruptive who constitute a security threat,” said Davis. “Taking a mother, separating a mother from her daughter and Girl Scouts she was watching over — and to do it under the pretext of protecting any disclosure of litigation information — is absolutely absurd. The fact they’re using facial recognition to do this is frightening. It’s un-American to do this.”
An MSG spokesperson further defended their safety measures
An MSG Entertainment spokesperson further reiterated in a statement that safety will always be their number one priority. And that Face Recognition Technology is just one of the many measures in place to ensure this remains the case. MSG Entertainment is also confident in their decision making, stating that they are compliant with the applicable laws, including the New York State Liquor Authority.
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Sources
- “Face recognition tech gets Girl Scout mom booted from Rockettes show — due to where she works.” CNBC. Sarah Wallace. December 20, 2022
- “Face Recognition Technology Caused A Girl Scout Mom To Be Kicked Out Of A Rockettes Performance.” Scary Mommy. Katie Garrity. December 20, 2022