Over 100 artists and venues have united to support a boycott that calls for the prohibition of facial recognition technology at live events. Led by digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, the campaign aims to address concerns about privacy infringement and potential discrimination against marginalized groups associated with the use of facial recognition.
Renowned artists like Tom Morello, Zack de la Rocha, Boots Riley, and Speedy Ortiz have pledged to participate in the boycott, along with independent concert venues such as House of Yes, Lyric Hyperion, and Black Cat, who have committed to refraining from implementing facial recognition technology during their shows.
The activists argue against the widespread adoption of facial recognition technology, highlighting the risks it poses to fans, workers, and performers. Leila Nashashibi, a Campaigner at Fight for the Future, emphasizes the false claims made by surveillance tech companies regarding the innovation, efficiency, and security benefits of biometric data tools.
Nashashibi raises concerns about the technology’s inaccuracy and the potential harm caused by misidentification and other technical flaws. The campaign aims to take immediate action to halt the spread of this controversial technology in the entertainment industry, while simultaneously pushing for legislation that prohibits its use in public places.
The controversy surrounding facial recognition technology has been growing, with instances like Madison Square Garden Entertainment facing scrutiny for using the technology to exclude lawyers involved in ongoing lawsuits against the company from an event. The deepening human rights crisis is also linked to the use of face recognition, as reports suggest that Iran is utilizing it to prosecute women who violate hijab laws. Women claim to have received mail citations for these violations without any face-to-face interaction with law enforcement, raising further concerns about the potential misuse and abuse of this technology.
