NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Criticizes MSG Owner Over Surveillance Technology
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly criticized the owner of Madison Square Garden, one of the city's largest entertainment venues, arguing that the company's surveillance technology should not be permitted.
Mamdani: Surveillance Tech Reflects 'Much That Is Wrong' in the US
In an interview with Wired on Tuesday, Mamdani said surveillance technologies are "indicative of much that is wrong in our country today."
He also noted that City Council member Shahana Hanif has introduced two pieces of local legislation aimed at banning the collection of biometric data — including through facial recognition — in public places across the city. Mamdani called the draft legislation "an important response to this kind of an issue."
The mayor's remarks follow a series of Wired reports detailing how Madison Square Garden's owner, James Dolan, relies on surveillance cameras and face-scanning technology to track people both inside and outside the company's venues.
Reports Reveal Extensive Tracking Practices
In one report, Wired revealed that Dolan's company maintains a database that flags some visitors — including celebrity performers — as "LGBTQIA," for reasons that remain unclear. Dolan subsequently sued Wired over its reporting.
In 2021, MSG drew headlines after a woman was banned from Radio City Music Hall, another Dolan-owned venue, when facial recognition systems identified her as an attorney at a law firm suing Dolan's company — even though she was not involved in the litigation.
MSG Denies Allegations
When reached by TechCrunch, Madison Square Garden spokesperson Mikyl Cordova said: "Wired's reporting is inaccurate and false. MSG is pursuing legal remedies," without providing evidence to support the claim.
NYC Biometrics Disclosure Law Since 2021
Since 2021, New York City has required businesses to disclose when they collect biometric data from visitors. The proposed 2026 legislation backed by Mamdani would go further by banning such collection in public places altogether.
Updated with comment from MSG.
via TechCrunch