Prophets of Rage guitarist Tom Morello has joined a coalition called Fight for the Future, which has called on the ticket seller Ticketmaster to stop using facial recognition software at concerts. The company has invested in facial recognition technology, which will allow a concertgoer to associate their digital ticket with their image, and guarantee entrance into a show.
Advocates against this technology have stated that this software can lead to vulnerable groups being unjustly detained, harassed or judged as a result of its misuse. Such concerns include having concertgoers faces and names upload to a government database, deportation of immigrant fans captured by the technology and arrests for minor offenses such as drug use at a concert.
“Ticketmaster — owned by the same company as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Electric Daisy Carnival, Electric Forest, and more — is investing in facial recognition technology, which puts undocumented fans, fans of color, trans fans, and fans with criminal records at risk of being unjustly detained, harassed, or judged,” a statement reads on the coalition’s website.”24/7 mass surveillance will not keep concerts safe. We can stop this.”
Morello held a similar sentiment, stating on social media:
“I don’t want Big Brother at my shows targeting fans for harassment, deportation, or arrest. That’s why I’m joining this campaign calling on @Ticketmaster and others not to use #facialrecognition at festivals and concerts.”
This is not the first controversy involving the ticket selling giant, earlier this year they were fined $3.4 million by the Canadian government for misleading the public in regards to their online pricing. They have also been criticized numerous times for their price inflation tactics.
Photo Credit: Marv Watson
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