NFL stadiums are getting an upgrade this year, and it’s raising some serious privacy concerns. The league is rolling out a new facial authentication system for all 32 stadiums this coming preseason. Note: That’s facial authentication, not facial recognition, as some less reputable news outlets have reported, and the failure to delineate the differences has led to some potentially unfair Orwellian accusations. Still, the controversy surrounding both terms stems from similar Big Brother concerns.
Facial Authentication vs Facial Recognition
"Modern facial recognition software," according to Bioconnect, "operates by capturing images or videos acquired from cameras, often without the explicit knowledge or consent of the individuals." The images require no participation from their subjects, are obtained through cameras, and are stored and transformed into biometric profiles to make templates, which are then used to identify people. Some states have regulations to help prevent organizations from collecting biometric data without people's consent, like the Consumer Privacy Act in California. However, according to Politico, "There are no federal regulations specifically on facial recognition in the U.S., though several laws have been introduced."
Facial authentication, on the other hand, requires active participation on the subject's part. A person produces a selfie or a valid government ID to create a template, which can be used to make cashless payments and verify identities. "Unlike some public-safety systems that store actual facial images for comparison and verification," Stadium Tech Report wrote, "Wicket says its system doesn’t actually store any facial information but instead uses what it calls a 'facial authentication' system, which uses artificial intelligence to map a photo of a face digitally, and uses that code to authenticate people by matching the code to a live face."
In February, Stadium Tech Report highlighted findings from the Cleveland Browns’ success using Wicket's software last season. "More than 10,000 people per game used the Express Access system to gain faster entry at Cleveland Browns Stadium during the 2023 season." The procedure requires less staff to verify tickets, and attendees, based on surveys, seem happy with the quicker process. About 35,000 fans enrolled in the Browns’ "'Express Access' facial-authentication ticketing plan that regularly supports 15 percent or more of all game-day entries, [and] the Browns are looking to possibly make facial authentication a preferred ticket validation method for next season, according to a team executive."
For the stadiums using Wicket's software for the first time, the system will be used only to "ensure that properly credentialed media, officials, staff, and guests can easily and safely access restricted areas, including the playing field, press box, or locker rooms." The NFL hopes the tightened security will prevent people from fraudulently using credentials and "eliminate the sometimes-faulty human credential verification process."
Facial authentication is not new. Techspot reported: "The New York Mets have already implemented the Wicket system at Citi Field. Soccer leagues worldwide are installing similar systems, but not necessarily Wicket's. Currently, 25 of the top 100 soccer stadiums utilize facial recognition for fan surveillance, indicating a broader trend in the sports industry toward enhanced security measures."
On the surface, this software seems innocuous. However, commenters on various websites worry that once it's ubiquitous and people are accustomed to its convenience, companies will begin using facial recognition. Though the NFL has mentioned possibly using facial authentication in the future to streamline concession purchases and to verify consumers' ages when buying alcohol, for now the system will validate only players and credentialed visitors. Wicket's system doesn't appear capable of monitoring attendees; it's not that kind of technology. Still, it doesn't seem outlandish for people to remain skeptical, especially when so few know what the technology does.
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