Facial Recognition and Corporate Bans: The Case of Radio City Music Hall

In a striking example of how facial recognition technology is being leveraged for corporate enforcement, a man was recently banned from entering Radio City Music Hall after being flagged by an AI-driven surveillance system. The incident, which occurred on March 29, 2025, involved Frank Miller Jr., who was escorted out of a concert due to his association with a T-shirt design criticizing Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) owner James Dolan¹. This case highlights the growing intersection of AI, corporate policies, and individual rights in public spaces.

Incident Breakdown

Miller’s ban stems from a 2021 incident where a friend of his was ejected from a New York Knicks game for wearing a shirt Miller designed. The shirt altered the Knicks logo to read “Ban Dolan,” a direct critique of MSG’s owner². While Miller himself wasn’t involved in the 2021 ejection, MSG’s facial recognition system apparently linked him to the design, leading to his removal from the 2025 concert. According to reports, MSG employs AI surveillance to enforce bans not just for security threats but also for perceived violations of their code of conduct³.

This isn’t the first time MSG has used facial recognition controversially. In 2022, the company faced backlash for banning lawyers involved in litigation against them⁴. The system, which cross-references attendees against a database of banned individuals, operates without clear public guidelines on what constitutes a bannable offense. Miller described the experience as “amusing” but noted the emotional toll it took on his family, who attended the concert with him⁵.

Technical and Ethical Implications

The use of facial recognition in this context raises several technical and ethical questions. From a technical standpoint, the system’s accuracy in linking individuals to past behaviors—especially when those behaviors are as subjective as designing a critical T-shirt—remains unclear. False positives in facial recognition are well-documented, and the lack of transparency in MSG’s implementation compounds these concerns⁶.

Ethically, the incident touches on broader debates about corporate power and free expression. Critics argue that MSG’s policy effectively allows a private entity to curtail speech in public venues, setting a concerning precedent⁷. The company maintains that its code of conduct justifies such bans, but the line between enforcing rules and suppressing dissent is increasingly blurred when AI is involved.

Relevance to Security Professionals

For security teams, this case underscores the need to scrutinize how AI and surveillance technologies are deployed in both corporate and public settings. Key considerations include:

• Transparency: Organizations using facial recognition should clearly define what behaviors trigger bans and how appeals are handled.
• Accuracy: Systems must be regularly audited to minimize false positives, especially when bans have significant personal consequences.
• Policy Alignment: Security measures should align with broader ethical and legal standards to avoid overreach.

While facial recognition can enhance security, its misuse risks eroding public trust. Security professionals should advocate for balanced policies that prioritize both safety and individual rights.

Conclusion

The Radio City Music Hall incident illustrates the double-edged nature of facial recognition technology. While it offers powerful tools for enforcement, its application in cases like Miller’s raises important questions about accountability and fairness. As AI becomes more pervasive in security contexts, organizations must navigate these challenges carefully to avoid unintended consequences.

References

1. [1] “Man banned from Radio City Music Hall over dispute with owner James Dolan,” Washington Times, Mar. 29, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/29/man-banned-radio-city-music-hall-dispute-owner-james-dolan/
2. [2] “Madison Square Garden uses facial recognition to ban critics,” The Verge, Apr. 1, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.theverge.com/news/637228/madison-square-garden-james-dolan-facial-recognition-fan-ban
3. [3] “MSG’s facial recognition policy faces scrutiny,” Gothamist, Apr. 2, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.threads.net/@gothamist/post/DHvmC2qIwJu
4. [4] “Madison Square Garden using facial recognition to keep lawyers out,” New York Post, Dec. 21, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://nypost.com/2022/12/21/madison-square-garden-using-facial-recognition-to-keep-lawyers-out/
5. [5] “Facial recognition technology at MSG venues,” Washington Post, Mar. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/03/31/facial-recognition-technology-msg-venues/
6. [6] “National: Radio City Music Hall banned him. A T-shirt and AI might be to blame,” Reddit, Apr. 3, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.reddit.com/r/WAPOauto/comments/1jojzz2/national_radio_city_music_hall_banned_him_a/