mwdegutis Loc: Illinois

Swift apparently didn't break any laws, but her actions should concern her concert-attending fans who were all scanned without their knowledge. What else is Swift using her private biometric database for? ~ Patrick Wood

Taylor Swift Used Facial Recognition To Track Stalkers At Concert
Swift was scanning you as you walked in
Stefan Etienne ~ December 13, 2018
Taylor Swift held a concert at California’s Rose Bowl this past May that was monitored by a facial recognition system. The system’s target? Hundreds of Swift’s stalkers.

Swift’s facial recognition system was built into a kiosk that displayed highlights of her rehearsals, which would secretly record onlookers’ faces. According to Rolling Stone, which spoke with a concert security expert who observed the kiosk, attendees who looked at the kiosk were immediately scanned. Afterward, the data was sent to a “command post” in Nashville, Tennessee that attempted to match hundreds of images to a database of her known stalkers.

US artists haven’t previously been publicized for using facial recognition tech at their concerts. However, the legality of doing so is on the artist’s side: a concert is technically a private event, therefore event organizers can subject concert-goers to almost any kind of surveillance.

The security measures taken for Swift’s event could be considered extreme, but it’s not the first time facial recognition has been used to look out for unwanted attendees.

This past April, Chinese police arrested a 31-year-old suspect who was hiding among nearly 60,000 people during a concert at Nanchang International Sports Center. This was made possible by the early stages of China’s own “Xue Liang,” or “Sharp Eyes,” monitoring system, which will be tasked with monitoring the movements of its citizens.

Back in the US, advancements are also being made with facial recognition technology in big crowds. For example, Ticketmaster envisions replacing tickets with a facial scan that is tied to your seat, and it is further developing the tech. While you might not be scanned going to see the next Marvel film, the movie ticket of the future might just be your face.

Noraa Loc: Kansas

What's the difference when the news is there taking pictures and videos of the crowd?

mwdegutis Loc: Illinois

The technology will soon be in place to use facial recognition to easily and quickly identify EVERYONE in a crowd...not just those at a concert. In real time. Think of the ramifications. Do a little research into China. They have over 250 MILLION cameras in place with more coming and have used them to identify dissidents in crowds. Soon there will be nowhere to be anonymous. And as witnessed by Taylor Swift, it's coming to America whether you want to believe it or not.

Noraa Loc: Kansas

You could stay home. Technology is here to stay. If you think the government doesn't know all about everyone's private lives through the internet, bills they pay, credit card use, buying homes, cars, their phone use, etc. you are living in a bubble.

mwdegutis Loc: Illinois

Stay home...that rich. Ever heard of Google Home or Amazon Echo et al. They're listening...ALL THE TIME!

Noraa Loc: Kansas

Don't use Google home or Amazon Echo, or Alexis. As far as them listening all the time I believe I said that.