A whole new world: Disneyland adds facial recognition to some entrance lanes

Disneyland, the beloved California adventure park, has outfitted some entrance lanes with facial recognition technology, a move its parent company says will prevent fraud and streamline re-entry. At certain entrance lanes, a camera will capture images of visitors, which can be converted via biometric technology into unique numerical values, according to the Walt Disney Company’s website. Ostensibly, the technology could be used to determine whether someone had already entered the park, and to crack down on potential annual pass sharing. Guests can decide to opt out of lanes equipped with the technology, according to the company. The software’s roll-out comes at a moment where facial recognition technology is embroiled in a national debate about privacy concerns and surveillance. Meta reportedly has plans to add a facial recognition feature to their smart glasses, which have been a source of ire for those who unknowingly find themselves being recorded. The Trump administration is eyeing the allocation of funds for such glasses to aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Law enforcement agencies that rely on facial recognition software have also been long scrutinized, and subject to lawsuits , over alleged wrongful arrests that disproportionately affect people of color. Entertainment venues, similar to Disneyland, have also adopted the technology. At several stadiums that host Major League Baseball (MLB) games, ticket holders can opt for a “go-ahead entry”. …