Mamdani Blasts Dolan Over Surveillance Tech

New York City's mayor criticized Madison Square Garden's owner for face-scanning and tracking practices as a council member proposes a biometric data ban.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Mamdani Blasts Dolan Over Surveillance Tech

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Should businesses be allowed to use facial recognition on customers in public places?

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan over his reliance on surveillance cameras and face-scanning technology. City Council member Shahana Hanif introduced two local bills aimed at banning biometric data collection in public places.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights tensions between private venue security and privacy rights for visitors across New York City. Proposed legislation would extend restrictions on biometric tracking that already require businesses to disclose such collection since 2021.

Hanif introduced two pieces of local legislation targeting biometric data collection in public places. New York City has required businesses to disclose biometric collection from visitors since 2021, but the status of the proposed bans remains pending.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, who has publicly criticized the use of surveillance technology by private venue operators.

James Dolan

James Dolan is the executive who owns Madison Square Garden and Radio City, whose companies rely on surveillance cameras and face-scanning systems.

Shahana Hanif

Shahana Hanif is a New York City Council member who introduced legislation to ban biometric data collection in public places.

The details

Mamdani told Wired that surveillance technologies reflect broader problems in the country. Wired reported that a Dolan company database marks some visitors, including celebrity performers, as LGBTQIA, and Dolan sued the publication over its reporting.

2021: A woman was banned from Radio City after facial recognition identified her as an attorney suing Dolan's company, though she was not involved in the litigation.
2021: New York City began requiring businesses to disclose biometric data collection from visitors.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Mamdani criticized Dolan in a Wired interview.

Situation Tracker

The proposed Hanif bills would move beyond the 2021 New York City rule requiring businesses to disclose biometric data collection, toward a full ban on such collection in public places. The shift tracks a growing municipal focus on constraining facial recognition use by private venues.

New York City visitors to venues using face-scanning systems may be tracked and, if flagged, denied entry. Under current rules, businesses must disclose biometric collection, and the proposed bills could eliminate such collection in public places entirely.

The takeaway

Visitors to large venues should expect that facial recognition may be used on them and should review disclosure notices where they are posted. Pending legislation could change what private operators are permitted to collect.