New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has criticized Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan over the use of facial recognition technology to monitor visitors at entertainment venues. Speaking in a Wired interview published on November 3, 2026, Mamdani said such surveillance practices should not be permitted and expressed support for proposed legislation restricting biometric data collection.
Mamdani described the use of surveillance technology as “indicative of much that is wrong in our country today.” He also highlighted legislation introduced by City Council member Shahana Hanif and other lawmakers to restrict facial recognition systems in public spaces.
Proposed Legislation Targets Biometric Surveillance
The New York City Council is considering two bills addressing biometric recognition technology in public accommodations and residential buildings. The proposals seek to establish restrictions on how businesses and property owners collect and use identifying information such as facial scans.
Introduction 213 would prohibit public accommodations from using biometric recognition technology to identify customers and establish additional requirements for protecting collected biometric information. The proposal also includes provisions concerning customer notification, consent, and data protection policies.
Introduction 428 focuses on limiting facial recognition technology in residential buildings. Both proposals remain under consideration by the City Council’s Committee on Technology and have not been enacted into law.
Madison Square Garden Faces Scrutiny Over Surveillance Practices
Mamdani’s comments follow investigative reporting by Wired examining how Dolan’s company uses surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology at Madison Square Garden and other entertainment venues. The reports described systems allegedly used to monitor individuals inside and outside company-operated facilities.
One Wired investigation reported that the company maintained a database categorizing hundreds of visitors, including celebrities and performers. Some entries reportedly contained classifications such as “LGBTQIA,” although the purpose of those labels remains unclear.
Dolan subsequently filed a lawsuit against Wired challenging its reporting. Madison Square Garden spokesperson Mikyl Cordova disputed the allegations, calling the reporting inaccurate and stating that the company was pursuing legal remedies.
The company’s facial recognition practices had previously attracted attention following an incident involving an attorney who was denied entry to Radio City Music Hall. Facial recognition technology reportedly identified her as an employee of a law firm involved in litigation against the company, despite her having no direct involvement in the lawsuit.
Mamdani referenced the incident during his interview, questioning the authority of private venue operators to use surveillance systems to restrict access based on visitors’ professional affiliations.
New York City has required businesses to notify customers when collecting biometric information since 2021. The proposed legislation would introduce additional restrictions beyond those existing disclosure requirements.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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