Citi Field Faces Class Action Over Alleged Illegal Use of Facial Recognition Technology

A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Sterling Mets, L.P., the entity that owns and operates Citi Field, accusing it of violating New York City’s Biometric Identifier Information Protection Code. The lawsuit alleges that Citi Field uses facial recognition technology to collect biometric data, such as facial templates, from visitors attending baseball games and concerts without their knowledge or consent. This biometric data is allegedly shared, sold, or otherwise used for profit, in direct violation of the law. The New York City Biometric Law, enacted in 2021, specifically prohibits the collection, use, or sharing of biometric identifiers—like fingerprints, retina scans, or facial geometry—without clear notification to the individual and forbids profiting from such data.

According to the complaint, Citi Field employs facial recognition technology through 11 cameras at its main entrance to monitor and cross-check faces against a blacklist of individuals who have been banned due to previous infractions like fighting or theft. This system, along with additional surveillance measures using 187 cameras and 115 access points, is part of a broader security infrastructure managed through software provided by Genetec. The lawsuit claims that the stadium’s use of this technology reduces security staffing costs and enhances profits by enabling Citi Field to charge premium ticket prices under the guise of enhanced security.

The plaintiffs assert that if they had known their biometric data was being collected and potentially monetized, they would not have agreed to the inflated ticket prices or attended events at the venue. The lawsuit seeks damages for all consumers whose biometric data has been collected at Citi Field since the law’s enactment in July 2021, claiming violations of privacy, deceptive business practices under New York General Business Law, and unjust enrichment, given the financial benefits derived from the use of this biometric data.