A growing coalition of privacy advocates and musicians gathered outside **Madison Square Garden** last Friday, calling for a legislative ban on facial recognition technology in public venues across New York City. The movement targets the widespread use of biometric surveillance by entities like MSG, which has drawn criticism for its extensive data collection practices. City Council member **Shahana Hanif** spearheaded the rally, leading chants of “ban the scan.” In January, Hanif introduced a bill (Intro. 0213-2026) that would prohibit public venues from utilizing biometric recognition technologies, including the facial recognition systems currently deployed by **Madison Square Garden**. **MSG**, under the leadership of CEO **James Dolan**, has faced scrutiny for its biometric data collection. Reports indicate that the venue maintains databases of individuals critical of Dolan or the **New York Knicks**, tracking their movements and interactions. One notable instance involved MSG security meticulously cataloging a fan's activities at a Knicks game, including who they spoke with and where they sat. Hundreds of lawyers involved in disputes with Dolan or his properties have also reportedly been banned from his venues. Further revelations from WIRED in July detailed MSG's maintenance of a database assigning risk scores to approximately 400 celebrities and VIPs, with some dossiers reportedly including sensitive information like race and sexual orientation. MSG subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against WIRED. At the recent rally, Hanif was joined by Brooklyn-based country musician **Paisley Fields**, a representative from the democratic-socialist working group **NYC DSA Tech Action**, and members of the digital rights advocacy group **Fight for the Future**. Hanif’s “Ban the Scan” bill has garnered significant support, with 27 endorsements – more than half of the City Council. Discussions are reportedly underway with Speaker **Julie Menin** to advance the legislation. An MSG spokesperson defended their practices, stating, “People have been recognizing each other’s faces since the beginning of time—we just do it electronically.” However, Hanif, who grew up in post-9/11 New York, expressed deeper concerns. She highlighted that many New Yorkers may not grasp the full extent of surveillance they are subjected to simply by attending events at MSG or its associated venues. The fact that **Dolan**, who has a long-standing relationship with former President **Donald Trump**, is behind this data collection further amplifies her worries. “New Yorkers need to understand, right now, between AI and all these tools that are being sold to us as being for… our city’s safety, are actually making us less safe,” Hanif warned.