John,

Iconic event venue Red Rocks Amphitheater has introduced Amazon palm scanning technology as a form of “convenient” ticketless entry for concert-goers. What they’re not telling fans is that palm scanning, like facial recognition, is an example of dangerous biometric data collection, and could turn Red Rocks into the site of ICE raids, police violence, false arrests, and stolen identities.

We’re calling on Red Rocks, AXS and AEG to reject dangerous palm scanning technology, and we need you with us! Please add your name to our open letter now.

AXS (Red Rocks’ ticketing partner), and AEG (AXS’ parent company) announced the Amazon palm scanner contract in September¹, noting that the technology would be implemented “immediately” at Red Rocks, with other venues to follow in the near future.

This contract is a slap in the face to fans and artists that have worked so hard to promote and protect safety for everyone at live events. In 2019, Fight for the Future collaborated with activists from the music world and a range of human rights groups to convince 40 of the largest US festivals, including Burning Man, Coachella, South by Southwest and Lollapalooza, to reject invasive facial recognition technology².

Facial recognition and palm scanning are simply two sides of the same coin, and we know that if we spread the word far enough about the dangers of ALL forms of biometric surveillance, we have a real chance of ending this palm scanning scheme at Red Rocks and preventing it from spreading to other venues.

Join artists, human rights groups and music fans calling on Red Rocks, AEG and AXS to immediately cancel all palm scanning contracts with Amazon. Sign the letter now!

The companies say this technology is all about convenience. But here’s the deal. For both corporations and governments, biometric surveillance – i.e. scans of our body parts – is hugely appealing because of the relative immutability of the data collected. Unlike addresses or credit card numbers, most biometrics can’t be changed. Biometrics make identifying us and tracking our activities and interactions easier and more effective. And guess what? Better tracking = more control (for governments) and more profit (for corporations).

The good news is that we’ve shut down these destructive surveillance programs before, and with your help, we can do it again. Add your name to the letter demanding a ban on palm scanning and all biometric surveillance at live events now.

In this together,

Leila at Fight for the Future

Footnotes:

[1] https://fortune.com/2021/09/14/amazon-palm-scanning-technology-red-rocks-concert-venue/

[2] https://www.banfacialrecognition.com/festivals

Fight for the Future works to protect your rights in the digital age.