Frank Miller expected a memorable evening at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Monday, as he had planned to celebrate his parents’ wedding anniversary at a special concert. However, his excitement quickly turned to disbelief when he was informed that he was banned for life from the venue and all other properties owned by Madison Square Garden (MSG). Despite not even making it past security, Miller found himself caught in a situation that left him questioning how he ended up on a ban list for an incident dating back to 2021, despite not having visited the venue in nearly a decade.
Here’s a breakdown of the events that unfolded at Radio City and the aftermath of the ban:
- Upon scanning his ticket, Miller was promptly pulled aside by security and informed of his ban from MSG properties.
- Despite his confusion, it dawned on him that the ban might be related to a T-shirt design he created years ago that criticized MSG Entertainment.
- As a graphic designer with ties to the New York Knicks, Miller had designed a shirt that read “Ban Dolan” in reference to a controversy involving Knicks owner James Dolan.
- Although he was not wearing the controversial shirt at the concert, Miller believes he was identified through facial recognition systems deployed by MSG.
- While Miller was given the option to appeal the ban, he decided against it, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about unexpected bans based on personal data collected by companies like MSG.
In light of Miller’s experience, it sheds light on the privacy concerns raised by the use of facial recognition technology in public venues, such as Radio City Music Hall and MSG-owned properties. The incident also underscores the power dynamics at play when individual fans express criticism of team ownership, as seen in Miller’s case and the ban imposed on his friend for wearing a “Ban Dolan” shirt to a Knicks game.
As Miller navigates the aftermath of his unexpected ban, he reflects on the larger implications of surveillance and security measures in public spaces. The experience serves as a cautionary tale for others who may find themselves unexpectedly denied entry to events based on data collected by companies like MSG. Ultimately, Miller hopes his story will raise awareness about the need to question the use of surveillance technologies and their impact on individual privacy and freedoms.
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