Simone says non-safety exclusions must stop
Tony SimoneNew York state assemblymember
Simone condemns excluding perceived legal adversaries rather than security risks and demands an end to the policy.
“The use of facial recognition technology by MSG Entertainment to ban members of the public, not for safety reasons, but as perceived legal adversaries is incredibly disturbing ... Any policies that bar members of the public for non-safety reasons must cease immediately.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
James Dolan defends MSG's facial-recognition lawyer exclusions; New York officials object
In January 2023, James Dolan defended MSG Entertainment's use of facial recognition to bar lawyers at firms suing the company, saying a property owner may choose whom it serves. Letitia James and Brad Hoylman-Sigal objected that the policy punished people for pursuing legal claims. A New York appeals court later held that state law requires MSG to admit ticket holders to concerts and theatrical shows but not sporting events, with damages as the only remedy. MSG described the exclusions as a safety measure in 2025, and WIRED reported in May 2026 that MSG had revoked the tickets of a lawyer suing it.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
A state Senate release quotes lawmakers and S.T.O.P. opposing the exclusion of attorneys based on their employers' litigation. It includes requests for privacy safeguards and scrutiny of public benefits.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Elected officials and privacy advocates rallied after MSG used facial recognition to exclude an attorney from a venue.
After the quotation
Simone's statement also notes that MSG operates under a city special permit, holds State Liquor Authority licenses and receives a state tax abatement.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Reference point: MSG's policy of excluding lawyers at firms suing it. Simone calls banning perceived legal adversaries, rather than safety risks, disturbing and says such policies must stop. Minimized loses because Simone does not downplay the policy in any way.
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More from this case
Read the full caseEFF criticizes MSG's exclusions and warns they could spread to protesters
Electronic Frontier Foundation
“Madison Square Gardens was recently caught using this technology to exclude employees of a law firm that sued the venue’s parent company. ... A business could easily extend this kind of “enemies list” to people who, online or on the sidewalk outside, protest a venue’s discriminatory policies.”Read statement
Williams rejects employer-based venue exclusions
“Individuals should not be removed from a place of business, because their employer is involved in legal action against said business.”Read statement
NYCLU calls MSG's ticket-holder exclusions an example of surveillance dangers
New York Civil Liberties Union
“The widely reported deployment of facial recognition at Madison Square Garden to ban people from the stadium that had already purchased tickets ... illustrates the dangers from the growing surveillance industry and the urgent need for comprehensive privacy protections.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Simone says non-safety exclusions must stop". First published: 2026-10-18. Last updated: 2026-10-18. https://disputeindex.com/events/5942-simone-condemns-excluding-perceived-legal-adversaries-rather-than