‘Ridiculous’: NYC Council Member Slams MSG on Facial Recognition Tech
Hanif told FOS she remains willing to discuss her bill with MSG.
Madison Square Garden's stance on Shahana Hanif's biometric-data bill was deemed "ridiculous" by the New York City council member, who remains open to negotiations with the company. Hanif, who represents New York City's 39th District and co-sponsored the "Ban the Scan" bill in 2022, has garnered support from 28 of her 51 colleagues.
The bill seeks to protect consumers by requiring venues, including arenas and retail stores, to obtain consent before collecting and storing biometric information. While the legislation is still being negotiated, Hanif maintains that it is a "pretty basic" and "common sense" measure. The company that owns MSG, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, has previously defended its use of facial recognition technology.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also expressed support for the bill. However, critics argue that the bill is too broad. Hanif emphasized the importance of protecting consumers' privacy and civil liberties in response to these concerns.
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