new York
Face recognition dispute over Madison Square Garden
Face recognition software is used at Madison Square Garden in New York. photo
© Christina Horsten/dpa
Whether Billy Joel or the Knicks: Madison Square Garden offers sports and entertainment at the highest level. But now a dispute over facial recognition software at the entrance is making headlines.
The signs aren’t big, but they’re prominently displayed at the entrance to Madison Square Garden: “Facial Recognition” is written on them. That means face recognition.
Cameras and special software are used here, for example to “ensure the safety of spectators and employees,” the operator of the famous multi-purpose hall in Manhattan said. Anyone who wants to watch a Billy Joel concert or a New York Knicks basketball game, for example, has to go past these cameras.
Lawyers are rejected
The use of facial recognition software is basically legal in New York – but a dispute has now broken out in the metropolis about how the operators of Madison Square Garden use it.
Law firm employees involved in lawsuits against operating company Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation were systematically turned away at the entrance, even if they had valid tickets. It was similar at other venues from the same operating company – including famous halls such as Radio City Music Hall or the Beacon Theatre.
“A man in a suit stopped me and asked, ‘Are you Alexis Majano? The manager wants to speak to you,'” attorney Majano told the New York Post. He went to see a New York Knicks basketball game but was not allowed into Madison Square Garden. He works for a law firm that is involved in processes related to Madison Square Garden – but he is not personally involved in it. “I was angry, we had planned a whole evening, which was then ruined. That’s ridiculous.”
More than 90 law firms were affected, New York Attorney General Letitia James said. After numerous media reports on the controversial use of the software, she wrote a letter to the operating company asking for answers. With this use of facial recognition software, the company could have violated the law, it said.
Garden boss doesn’t want to change anything
James Dolan, however, immediately rumbled back. The head of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation and owner of the New York Knicks basketball team and the New York Rangers ice hockey team is considered the maestro of Madison Square Garden, an autocratic billionaire, not squeamish and extremely moody. Dolan said in a TV interview that he saw no reason to change his approach. “It’s not discrimination and we’re not giving in. The Garden has to defend itself.”
The Attorney General’s letter did not intimidate him “at all,” Dolan said — and even threatened that he could simply stop serving alcohol in Madison Square if he wanted to.
sign of success
Madison Square Garden is one of the most important venues in the world – anyone standing on the stage in front of a sold-out audience is considered successful. In addition to music, comedy and fashion, sports such as basketball, ice hockey, tennis and boxing are offered. In 1971 the “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier took place here. In 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang the famous birthday song for the then US President John F. Kennedy at this point, and a pope has already visited Mass twice: in 1979 John Paul II and in 2015 Francis.
For the coming weeks alone, concerts by stars such as Marc Anthony, Carrie Underwood and John Mayer in Madison Square Garden have been announced, as well as numerous Knicks and Rangers games. The New York judiciary is now advising how to proceed with the facial recognition software. Many of the law firms affected by the exclusion are also defending themselves in a manner they are familiar with – and are complaining.