The Malta Business Weekly

Were Taylor Swift fans tracked at her gig?

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A major stadium in Los Angeles has confirmed that it uses facial recognitio­n tech during sport and music events, to spot known troublemak­ers.

The Rose Bowl told news site Gizmodo that it used the tech "inside and outside" the stadium gates.

It made the statement after an article in Rolling Stone alleged that Taylor Swift fans were scanned at a pop concert in an effort to spot stalkers.

However, the companies involved have been reluctant to talk.

According to Rolling Stone, visitors to a Taylor Swift concert at the Rose Bowl were encouraged to visit a pop-up booth playing behind-the-scenes footage of the pop star.

The booth allegedly recorded fans and compared their pictures to a database of Swift's known stalkers.

The claims were made by the chief technology officer of a company called Oak View Group. He told Rolling Stone he had been invited to see the technology in action.

However, the article did not name the company responsibl­e.

But the Rose Bowl has confirmed it does use facial recognitio­n at some events to enhance security.

It says the use of the tech is clear- ly signposted at events. However, it has not offered any clarity about the alleged Taylor Swift pop-up booth.

Wembley Stadium in the UK, where Taylor Swift performed earlier this year, said it does not use facial recognitio­n at events.

China says it has apprehende­d several suspects using facial recognitio­n at pop concerts.

In April, a man who was wanted for "economic crimes" was caught at a Jacky Cheung gig in Nanchang city.

Local media has reported several cases where people have been arrested this way.

Olympic organisers say the tech will be used at the Tokyo 2020 games to eliminate entry with forged identifica­tion.

However, there are privacy and accuracy concerns with large-scale facial recognitio­n systems.

Campaign group Big Brother Watch argues that the use of automatic facial recognitio­n systems contravene­s the Human Rights Act.

It found systems tested by police in the UK had made a "staggering" number of false matches.

The UK's Informatio­n Commission­er Elizabeth Denham says police forces must address concerns over the use of facial recognitio­n systems or they may face legal action.

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