A small group of protesters gathered outside Citi Field in Queens, New York, to push back against the use of facial recognition scanning. The protest, organized by Fight for the Future and Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), aimed to raise awareness about the growing use of this technology in stadiums and arenas across the country, including at Mets games. While some ticket-holders opt into facial recognition scanning for convenience, digital rights groups argue that the technology is error-prone, biased, and threatens privacy and data security.
The protesters called on Major League Baseball and other sports leagues to stop using facial recognition technology, emphasizing the potential for misuse and discriminatory effects on marginalized communities. Studies have shown that facial recognition technology is often biased against people of color, women, children, and older individuals, leading to false accusations and wrongful arrests. The groups also highlighted the risk of law enforcement using biometric data collected at sports stadiums for surveillance purposes.
Facial recognition scanning has been increasingly implemented in various public spaces, including stadiums, arenas, and airports. The protesters advocated for two bills introduced in the New York City Council to regulate the use of this technology, banning its use for customer verification in public accommodations and tenant identification in residential dwellings. The demonstration outside Citi Field was part of a series of protests organized by Fight for the Future to raise awareness about the potential risks and implications of facial recognition technology.
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