New York Attorney General Letitia James mentioned in her letter that Madison Square Garden might violate civil and human rights laws, based on their use of facial recognition to identify lawyers that represent legal opponents.
Attorney General's Side
AG Letitia James sent the letter directly to MSG Entertainment, which owns and operates Madison Square Garden. The company is said to be facial recognition to restrict lawyers that oppose them from entering company grounds and other events.
She stressed that the Orwellian policy could violate state and federal human laws. MSG Entertainment CEO James Dolan justified it saying that it was to prevent the collection of evidence, given the banned lawyers represent clients that are suing them.
MSG already removed at least four lawyers from its events and venues since October, according to Engadget. This includes Knicks and Rangers games, which are teams the company CEO owns, as well as concerts and Christmas shows.
The New York Attorney General expressed that anyone who purchased tickets should be treated fairly and respectfully. New York state lawmakers aim to correct this by adding "sporting events" to an existing law that prohibits denying entry to those with legitimate tickets.
The arena's facial recognition will match the lawyer's photos from their firm's website. Lawyers have found this "ludicrous," saying that the ban is just a petty effort to punish the lawyers that went against the company. James mentioned that it affects attorneys in more than 90 firms.
There's also the city law that was introduced last year wherein commercial establishments need to tell their customers when biometric scans are being used on them. Unwarranted facial recognition may be violating that law.
There was even an instance when Kelly Conlon, a personal injury attorney was denied entry to Radio City Music Hall as she was taking her daughter's Girl Scout troop to see the "Christmas Spectacular." Security knew who she was and even knew the name of her law firm.
Sam Davis, a partner at Ms. Conlon's firm, was also denied entry to a Rangers game from the Garden. He expressed that it was a "dystopian, shocking act of repression." Lawyers believe that the exclusion list is prohibited and sued MSG Entertainment.
MSG Entertainment's Reasons
The company's officials stated that the technology used for security measures are useful safety tools at sports and entertainment venues, noting that the locations are near major transit hubs, according to The New York Times.
CEO James Dolan instituted the ban not only for lawyers who opposed them but those in the same firms as well. The company reasoned that it is enforcing the list of banned lawyers because "litigation creates an inherently adversarial environment."
MSG Entertainment mentioned that they have always made it clear to guests and the public that they used facial recognition as one of their tools. There are signs in Radio City Music Hall that states that the technology is there to ensure everyone's safety.
