NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Backs Biometric Ban Amid MSG Facial Recognition Fight
Mayor Zohran Mamdani backs proposed NYC biometric-data bans as James Dolan’s MSG faces scrutiny over facial recognition and visitor tracking at city venues.
Summary
On November 3, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized surveillance technology as reflecting broader national problems and supported two draft bills from Council member Shahana Hanif. The legislation would ban biometric data collection, including facial recognition, in public places citywide.
Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan uses cameras and facial recognition to track people inside and outside his venues. A company database also marks some visitors, including celebrity performers, as “LGBTQIA” for unclear reasons. Dolan sued Wired over its coverage. In 2021, Radio City barred a woman after facial recognition identified her as an attorney at a firm suing Dolan’s company, although she was uninvolved in the case.
New York City has required businesses to disclose visitor biometric collection since 2021, while Hanif’s proposals would impose a broader ban. MSG spokesperson Mikyl Cordova called Wired’s coverage inaccurate and false and said MSG is pursuing legal remedies, but provided no supporting evidence.
Positives
- Two bills introduced by Council member Shahana Hanif would ban biometric data collection, including facial recognition, in public places across New York City.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s support gives the proposed citywide biometric restrictions prominent political backing.
- Since 2021, New York City businesses have been required to disclose when they collect visitors’ biometric data.
Risks & concerns
- James Dolan uses surveillance cameras and facial recognition to track people inside and outside Madison Square Garden venues.
- An MSG database marks some visitors, including celebrity performers, as “LGBTQIA” for reasons that remain unclear.
- Radio City barred an uninvolved attorney in 2021 after facial recognition linked her employer to litigation against Dolan’s company.
- MSG spokesperson Mikyl Cordova provided no evidence when calling the coverage inaccurate and false.
- Hanif’s two bills remain draft legislation, leaving current city rules focused on disclosure rather than prohibition.