Facial recognition at Madison Square Garden prompts privacy legislation push
Madison Square Garden has deployed facial recognition technology to scan visitors and compile files on individuals, reportedly using it to ban critics and activists. Privacy advocates and civil rights groups held a rally in August 2026 and pushed for legislation to prohibit facial recognition use in public-facing businesses.
What happened
Madison Square Garden has used facial recognition technology to scan visitors entering the venue, with the collected data reportedly used to compile files on individuals and ban certain people from entry.
In June 2026, hackers stole sensitive customer information from MSG and threatened to leak 26 million records unless the company paid a ransom.
A rally was held on August 14, 2026 outside Madison Square Garden by privacy advocates, civil rights groups, and lawmakers calling for an end to facial recognition use at the venue.
Reported impact
Privacy advocates and civil rights groups have alleged that MSG owner James Dolan has used facial recognition to track, profile, and ban critics and activists, including a mother who was turned away from Radio City Music Hall because she worked at a law firm involved in litigation against Dolan.
Supporters of a ban argue the technology is used selectively, noting that cameras were turned off during Taylor Swift's wedding, suggesting it is not necessary for security.
Index analysis
City Council Member Shahana Hanif introduced the 'Ban the Scan' bill (Int. 213) to prohibit businesses open to the public from collecting or using customers' biometric information for surveillance, with support from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and 27 council members.
Governance controls
MSG has stated that 'people have been recognizing each other's faces since the beginning of time' and characterized the technology as relying on electronic recognition, defending the practice against security concerns raised by critics.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.