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Tom Morello, Anti-Flag protest Ticketmaster facial recognition technology

Last year, we learned that Ticketmaster began testing facial recognition technology to allow people to enter a show using their image.

Now, many musicians such as Tom Morello, Anti-Flag and Atmosphere are protesting against the technology, fearing it could be used for more than just ticketless entries to shows. 

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Last year, it was reported that Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation bought facial recognition company Blink Identity to test the tech out in the concert field. 

Then, Blink’s research and design has led to development of a system where a peripheral device can “register an image of your face as soon as you walk past a sensor”. Also, Live Nation was boasting of the partner’s ability to “associate your digital ticket with your image, then just walk into the show.”

However, many people are worried it could be used for bad. Organization Fight for the Future is asking for the surveillance to be banned for fear of companies singling out audience members for other purposes such as harassment or arrest. 

“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. 24/7 mass surveillance will not keep concerts safe. We can stop this,” the Fight for the Future site reads upon entry.

The technology could lead to immigrant fans being deported or fans’ faces being inputted into a government database, the site explains. Additionally, it warns of fans being arrested for outstanding charges or drug use and shows and much more. 

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The coalition encourages people to protest online with tweets in support of a ban they are attempting to push, which man artists did. 

I don’t want Big Brother at my shows targeting fans for harassment, deportation, or arrest,” Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine wrote in support on Twitter. 

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Also, Anti-Flag posted the petition, saying that “people should feel safe and respected at festivals and shows, not subjected to invasive biometric surveillance.”

In addition, many other artists and fans have joined the fight online against such technology. You can see some of their posts below.

Now, what do you think of these musicians protesting facial recognition technology at shows and festivals associated with Ticketmaster? Sound off in the comments down below!

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