Madison Square Garden Targeted Privacy Activists and Surveillance Critics

Madison Square Garden Targeted Privacy Activists and Surveillance Critics A leaked dossier exposes the private data of prominent digital rights activists who publicly criticized the company's facial recognition technology. Tyler Graham Writer Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games. He's previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband.

He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated from Seton Hall with a bachelor's degree in journalism. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game.

You can reach him at tgraham@cnet.com. Expertise Video gaming, computer hardware, laptops, home energy, home internet See full bio Tyler Graham June 24, 2026 9:48 a.

m. PT 4 min read Madison Square Garden Targeted Privacy Activists and Surveillance Critics Madison Square Garden Targeted Privacy Activists and Surveillance Critics A leaked dossier exposes the private data of prominent digital rights activists who publicly criticized the company's facial recognition technology. Tyler Graham Writer Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games.

He's previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband. He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated from Seton Hall with a bachelor's degree in journalism. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game.

When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game. You can reach him at tgraham@cnet.com.

Expertise Video gaming, computer hardware, laptops, home energy, home internet See full bio Tyler Graham June 24, 2026 9:48 a.m. PT 4 min read Tyler Graham Writer Tyler is a writer for CNET covering laptops and video games.

He's previously covered mobile devices, home energy products and broadband. He came to CNET straight out of college, where he graduated from Seton Hall with a bachelor's degree in journalism. When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game.

When Tyler's not asking questions or doing research for his next assignment, you can find him in his home state of New Jersey, kicking back with a bagel and watching an action flick or playing a new video game. You can reach him at tgraham@cnet.com.

Expertise Video gaming, computer hardware, laptops, home energy, home internet See full bio Tyler Graham June 24, 2026 9:48 a.m. PT 4 min read It's no secret that publicly criticizing Madison Square Garden Entertainment CEO James Dolan might get you put on a list.

Now, a leaked document reveals the company compiled a detailed dossier on activists who oppose its venues' facial recognition surveillance -- and packed those files with a startling amount of their personal information.The alleged document, titled "Facial Recognition Activists.docx," was made public after a group of hackers published a 45GB cache of data they stole from MSG earlier in June, which leaked 26 million customer records, including contact details and biometric or facial recognition data.

The news follows an extensive Wired investigation from April that found that New York Knicks owner Dolan operates an expansive biometric surveillance network far beyond MSG's venues, which include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre. The company says it uses face-scanning technology to identify potential security threats, but its biometric surveillance practices have drawn sharp criticism.Activists, civil rights groups and public officials have long warned that the deployment of facial recognition at entertainment venues, private homes and public streets strips individuals of anonymity.

By harvesting and storing a massive trove of sensitive data, these systems create digital paper trails that are highly vulnerable to security breaches. In fact, MSG is now facing three class-action lawsuits stemming from the massive hack, according to the New York Times. The suits say the company failed to adequately protect sensitive information and are seeking damages for the breach and the risk of identity theft and privacy harm.

A representative for MSG Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Targeting activistsAccording to reporting by 404 Media, which downloa