New York, 25 Jan. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday that she is investigating the use of facial recognition technologies to bar certain people from entering such famous entertainment venues as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, which are from the same company.
According to James in a note, the owner, MSG Entertainment, has used this controversial technology in recent weeks to identify and veto access – even if they have bought tickets – to what it considers its “adversaries”: all lawyers affiliated with law firms whose clients are litigating against the company.
The measure applied by MSG affects the lawyers of more than 90 law firms, and the prosecutor warned this Wednesday in a letter to the company that it may be violating laws that protect human rights at the local, state and federal levels, including regulations that prohibit retaliation.
James believes that preventing access to lawyers could discourage them from working on sexual harassment or employment discrimination cases against the company, and also questions whether the facial recognition technology used offers guarantees in general to avoid discriminatory “biases”.
The first news about this screening of the public became known in December, when a lawyer went with her daughter to see the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City and was prevented from entering after being identified by name and company, which is involved in a lawsuit against a restaurant that belongs to MSG.
A week ago, a group of New York legislators protested outside Madison Square Garden over his use of technology, which could also be violating the privacy of those affected, and said that if he continues to apply it, they will “reconsider” permits, licenses and benefits. public that receives MSG.
MSG has been using technology since 2018 as a security measure and the policy aimed at lawyers who litigate against the company began in June 2022, according to what the company indicated to the FOX channel, which explained that the veto was communicated to each law firm and that its effect ends when cases are resolved.
MSG is controlled by tycoon James Dolan, who also runs Madison Square Garden Sports, which owns sports teams like the NBA’s New York Knicks and has been accused of retaliating against several critics of his management. EFE
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