In response to CAST's letter of June 30th about facial recognition technology Mick Everitt (CAFC Head of Matchday Operations) replied on July 1st to say that:
"I can confirm that the club have no current plans to install FRT at the Valley"
CAST had written as follows:
"Supporters across England and Wales are becoming increasingly concerned that facial recognition is being installed at stadium turnstiles without proper consultation with fans and consideration of the data use and privacy issues.
Technology is in place at the Etihad, Bet 365 and MKM stadiums, Turf Moor, and Portman Road There are now reports of it having been introduced at Hillsborough.
CAST's view is that Charlton fans have significant confidence in the club's safety leadership team. However, fans may still worry that such technology could be installed at The Valley. Therefore, we'd like to ask the club to proactively tell fans in a statement that there are no plans to introduce facial recognition technology at The Valley
As you know, CAST is affiliated to the FSA. At the recent AGM in Manchester a motion was passed to enable a policy that commits the FSA to oppose the adoption of the technology until “transparent and meaningful dialogue has taken place at a national level with fans, leagues, the FA, civil rights groups and the Information Commissioner’s Office on its legality and privacy concerns.”
We think there is an opportunity for Charlton to be seen to leading on this matter by being proactive in communication"
yours etc
The CAST Board
The FSA have also produced the article below on the subject:
"Clubs and authorities often issue reassurances about how our biometric data is handled and stored. However, recent high-profile failures around privacy and data handling from some of the world’s biggest tech firms have shown how fraught this can be. Shocking cases of leaks or misuse of sensitive personal data have been reported with Tesla car cameras, Amazon’s Alexa home assistants and Ring doorbells and even automated vacuum company Roomba. All of these alarming breaches came despite assurances that privacy would be respected and that data gathered would be handled safely and securely."
"In the coming months, the FSA will be raising awareness of the issues and concerns around facial recognition technology: engaging with national media, fan groups and human rights organisations. Additionally, we’ll engage with football authorities and the Information Commissioner’s Office, outlining concerns – asking for supporters and the data protection regulator to be involved in meaningful and transparent discussions and consultation around the ethics, legality, proportionality and fairness of its use. Those communications will also express concerns over its potential use in targeting season ticket holders for more draconian enforcement of ticketing policies."
The full article: