Over 100 music artists, including influential figures such as Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, have joined forces to announce a boycott against concert venues that employ facial recognition technology. The artists are raising a number of concerns, primarily focused on privacy infringement and increased discrimination. This boycott, organized by digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, ultimately intends to eliminate face-scanning technology from all live events. The movement has garnered the support of a wide range of musicians, including Speedy Ortiz, Anti-Flag, Boots Riley, and Deerhoof, amongst many others.
The issue of facial recognition technology goes beyond artists themselves. Some concert venues have also pledged to refrain from using this type of technology for their events. Prominent examples include House of Yes in Brooklyn, the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles, and the infamous Black Cat in Washington D.C. Additionally, over 40 major music festivals, such as Coachella and SXSW, have taken a stand against the use of facial recognition technology.
Fight for the Future has strongly condemned facial scanning companies, branding them as “morally corrupt” and asserting that facial recognition tools are so inaccurate that they “create more harm and problems than they solve.” The organization fears a future in which privacy is non-existent, with individuals being continuously identified, watched, and surveilled wherever they go. This dystopian vision is at the heart of their opposition to facial recognition technology.
While there are proponents of facial recognition technology who highlight its potential benefits, such as using it to identify potential stalkers during concerts, there have already been alarming cases of misuse. Madison Square Garden, for instance, has implemented this technology to identify and ban lawyers involved in lawsuits against the venue and its affiliated companies. As a result, several attorneys have been forcibly removed from MSG and Radio City Music Hall, leading the New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch a formal inquiry. The New York State Liquor Authority has also initiated proceedings to revoke the liquor licenses of the parent company, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, in response to these incidents.
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While MSG has been the main focus of scrutiny, other large venues across the country, including Citi Field in New York, FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, have also taken steps towards implementing facial recognition technology. This highlights the widespread nature of this issue and the urgent need for action.
Fight for the Future, in collaboration with artists like Morello and Speedy Ortiz, has had success with similar boycotts in the past. In 2022, their protest resulted in Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheater deciding not to deploy Amazon’s palm scanning technology at their venue.
As the movement against facial recognition technology gains momentum, it is crucial to consider the various implications surrounding privacy, discrimination, and potential misuse. The artists and venues participating in this boycott are championing the importance of civil liberties and pushing for the elimination of a technology they believe poses significant threats to society.
In conclusion, the boycott against concert venues using facial recognition technology has gained significant traction, with over 100 music artists and various venues joining the cause. Artists and advocates argue that the technology infringes on privacy rights and perpetuates discrimination. While proponents of facial recognition emphasize its potential benefits, cases of misuse raise serious concerns. The movement led by Fight for the Future aims to eliminate face-scanning technology from all live events, further highlighting the urgent need to address the ethical and societal implications of this technology. As this boycott continues to grow, it offers a crucial opportunity to reassess the impact of facial recognition and advocate for a more responsible and respectful approach to technology and privacy.
