Facial Recognition Kiosk at Taylor Swift Concert Brings Up Data Security and Privacy Issues

Facial Recognition Kiosk at Taylor Swift Concert Brings Up Data Security and Privacy Issues

Data security and privacy experts discuss the issues of facial recognition at Taylor Swift's May 18th concert.

Fans of Taylor Swift may have gotten a little more than they bargained for at her Los Angeles show this past May. Reports of a kiosk rolling clips of her concert rehearsal is said to have scanned the faces of those who stopped to watch and send them to a "command post" in Nashville. 

The kiosk was designed to use facial recognition to capture images of the faces that stopped to watch. From there the images were sent to Nashville where they were cross-referenced with a database of hundreds of Swift's known stalkers, according to Mike Downing, chief security officer at Oak View Group. 

"Everybody who went by would stop and stare at it, and the software would start working," Downing said in a Rolling Stone article. 

The news of the face scanning kiosk rose questions about data security and privacy at these events. I asked Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech.com what he thought about the situation. What it boiled down to is: consent.  

”Concert goers did not consent to their photos being taken for this purpose, and they certainly weren't informed of what the images would be used for, who they would be shared with, or how long they'll be retained," Bischoff said. "We don't even know who the images actually belong to, so fans have little recourse if they want to complain or have their photo deleted."

Tyler Reguly, manager of security R&D at Tripwire, believes the security tool is an effective way to use cutting-edge technology to increase the likelihood of a more secure concert experience. 

"When you venture into an event like this, you give up your privacy," Reguly said. "Pretty much when you leave your home, you give up your privacy. While people may actively avoid the obvious security cameras, covert cameras in displays are a great way to monitor the crowd and that doesn’t really concern me. Safety is a priority at these events."

In the end, Reguly believes the security team at Swift's concert did a great job at enhancing security at the show with technology not as commonly used with the public yet.

"We’re so accustomed to 'in your face' security, like at the airport, that we forget that security can be more subtle and still be effective," Reguly said. "As someone who attends dozens of concerts each year, I welcome this technology at our local theatres, arenas, and concert halls."

While this is not the first, or last time, that we will likely see facial recognition software used at a concert venue, Bischoff recommends security companies be more transparent when implementing the software.

"Facial recognition technology has only started proliferating public life and it could have huge privacy implications, so businesses that use it in public settings need to tread carefully," Bischoff said. "That didn't happen at Taylor Swift's show.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.