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MSG Entertainment has faced criticism for using facial recognition to enforce bans at venues.
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New York’s AG Letitia James and state liquor authorities have expressed concerns about the legality of the technology.
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Dolan highlighted the technology in a recent interview, vaguely threatening to stop selling alcohol at MSG.
Madison Square Garden CEO and New York Knicks owner James Dolan has defended using facial recognition technology to enforce bans at ballparks after public outcry.
Dolan spoke with Fox 5 New York on Thursday about the system, a day after New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement questioning MSG and its use of technology to deny entry to Radio City Music Hall.MSG entertainment.
During the interview, he also threatened to stop serving alcohol for at least one game after a New York Rangers game. national sake Authorities questioned whether the arena violated its license by barring people from entering the building.
To underscore his point, Dolan held up a piece of paper with an email, a phone number and a picture of Sharif Kabir, the CEO of the New York State Liquor Authority, as viewers were upset about the lack of alcohol at MSG. recommended as follows: Please contact Kabir to express your concerns.
MSG’s use of facial recognition technology to enforce the ban has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months. In one high-profile example, a New Jersey attorney claimed in December that technology had identified her as a company attorney involved in a lawsuit against one of MSG Entertainment’s companies, after which she said: barred her from entering a Rockets performance at Radio City Music Hall with her. Her daughter, according to NBC 4 New York.
MSG has confirmed to NBC that lawyers will not be able to attend the Rockets show, and lawyers involved in a lawsuit against MSG Entertainment’s company have been barred from attending events at MSG-owned venues until the case is resolved. said that it meant
In a statement, Attorney General James said the ban could affect attorneys at up to 90 law firms, adding that the technology could violate discrimination and civil rights laws.
“MSG Entertainment cannot fight a legal battle on its own stage,” Attorney General James wrote in her statement. “Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall are world-famous venues All ticketed patrons should be treated fairly and respectfully.”
In December, The New York Times reported that a ban on lawyers was enacted last summer, and that the database of banned faces also includes fans who “break the rules at company venues.”
In an interview with New York City radio station WFAN on Friday, Dolan denied reports by fans who claimed he was denied entry after telling him to sell the team. Especially “conflicting”.
Doran too walked back A vague threat to withdraw alcohol from an upcoming Rangers game, telling WFAN, “We have no plans to do that at this time. Your beer is safe.”
Dolan told FOX 5 that the organization will provide and provide James’ office with the information necessary to determine whether the use of facial recognition is discriminatory, but will ban the lawyer from the arena. doubled his belief that was justified.
“If your neighbor sue you, if someone sue you, yes it’s confrontational. It’s hostile and that’s fine. People are allowed to sue,” Dolan told Fox 5. told to …… Well, you don’t have to welcome that person into your house, right? ”
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