A new lawsuit has been filed challenging the use of facial recognition technology at Disneyland. The suit alleges that guests are not properly informed when their biometric data is being collected at the park entrances. 
The proposed class action claims the facial recognition system violates California consumer protection and privacy laws and could affect millions of visitors, including children.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit was filed on Friday in California federal court against the Walt Disney Company over the facial recognition technology that is currently being used at the entrances of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney introduced the system in April at the Disneyland resort.
We noticed the new signs in April that were added to Disneyland’s parking structures informing guests which lanes to enter at the park entrance if they don’t want their face to be scanned.
Facial Recognition at Park Entry
Disneyland Resort park entries use facial recognition technology. Use of these lanes is optional.
If you do not wish to participate, please enter the line lane with the following overhead signage:
The complaint alleges Disney collects and compares photographs of guests’ faces to ticket and annual pass images without providing enough disclosure or enough consent from visitors. The attorneys bringing the class action argue that many guests are not aware that the technology is being used at all.
“Guests should be able to expressly opt in to this type of sensitive facial recognition technology with written consent,” attorney Blake Yagman wrote in the complaint. “The onus of privacy rights should not be on the victim.”
According to Disneyland’s privacy policy, biometric data is “deleted within 30 days of creation and participation is optional.” And “Entrance lanes that do not employ facial recognition technology are also available.”
The proposed suit is seeking at least $5 million in damages on behalf of park guests who were subject to the facial recognition system.
How do you feel about the implementation of facial recognition systems at Disney? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
