The class action lawsuit accuses Disney of improperly collecting and storing guests’ biometric data, including that of children, at park entrances.
WASHINGTON — Disney is reportedly being sued for using facial recognition technology at Disneyland without guests’ knowledge hollywood reporter and orange county register.
The lawsuit claims Disney violated privacy and consumer protection laws by collecting and storing guests’ biometric data without full disclosure of the practice or meaningful consent.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure began using the technology at park entrances in April to verify tickets and annual passes, according to a complaint filed in federal court in California. The system takes photos of guests and compares those images to photos associated with the tickets or passes they originally used.
The lawsuit alleges that most guests were unaware the technology was being used.
“Consumers, which almost always include children, were unaware that Disney was collecting this highly sensitive data,” the complaint states.
Disney has explain The technology helps streamline park entry and reduce ticket fraud. The company’s privacy policy states that facial recognition data will be deleted within 30 days unless required for legal or fraud prevention purposes.
But the lawsuit disputes that claim, arguing that Disney must retain the information longer so it can compare guests’ faces to images associated with previously purchased tickets or annual passes.
The complaint also alleges that Disney failed to provide adequate notice to guests. While some entrances have signs that allow guests to bypass facial recognition, attorneys for the proposed courses say the notices do not constitute meaningful consent.
“Guests should be able to expressly opt-in to the use of this sensitive facial recognition technology with written consent,” attorney Blake Yagerman wrote in the filing. “Given the sensitivity of facial recognition data, express written consent should be required to protect the privacy of Disney theme park guests.”
In a message about its privacy, Disney said guests do have the option to opt out of the new facial recognition technology and can do so through the park’s main entrance along the Esplanade, where employees can manually verify tickets. Web page.
The lawsuit seeks at least $5 million in damages and seeks to represent Disneyland guests whose biometric data may have been collected.
