MLB Stadium Tests “Facial Authentication” Entry System

AM New York reports:

Major League Baseball is testing facial authentication-based entry that would allow ticketed fans to walk directly into stadiums — a convenient new arrival method that the league says won’t compromise on safety and security.

The Philadelphia Phillies have partnered with MLB to use their stadium as the site of a pilot program called Go-Ahead Entry, which uses facial authentication-based entry for ticketed fans. MLB and the Phillies were quick to note the difference between their facial authentication and facial recognition.

“This is not scanning a crowd looking for people,” said Phillies vice president and chief technology officer Sean Walker. “This is determining if a person is authenticated. We’re not tied to any law enforcement. There’s certainly no sharing of the data. It’s simply to get you into the ballpark. It’s not facial surveillance.”

Read the full article. AKA biometrics.

Exciting fan experience pilot happening for @Phillies @MLB games at Citizens Bank Park for the remainder of the 2023 season. Read more in @SBJ: https://t.co/kjcoqLVo8F

— Evolv Technology (@EvolvTechnology) August 25, 2023