NFL facial recognition controversy, explained: Why league is receiving pushback on latest security protocol

There are plenty of changes coming to the NFL this season. Between banishing the hip-drop tackles to alterations to the kickoffs , there will be much to adjust to for the 2024 season.

Those switches aren't just on the field either. There are some changes coming to the off-the-field measures that stadium staff have to deal with — and not everyone is on board.

In July, it was first reported by the Sports Business Journal that the NFL would be implementing a new security system based on facial recognition for specific areas in all 32 stadiums. This is the next step after the six-stadium pilot program that was used in 2023.

While the concept might make sense, not all parties involved are OK with these new measures.

Here is more on the facial recognition system and why some are fighting against it.

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NFL facial recognition controversy, explained

The NFL's new facial authentication software will be used for "high-security zones" including the playing field, locker room, and press box. This will require thousands of staff, vendors, and media members to verify their face with the system in order to enter specific areas.

It is designed to prohibit unauthorized members from gaining access to specific areas. The high-security zones will have a real-time image of their face taken to compare to the previously submitted photo on file. The software is from Wicket, a facial authentication platform, while Accredit Solutions is the system managing the whole credentialing process.

"One of the biggest things is accountability," Billy Langenstein said , senior director of security services for the NFL. "[The league and the teams] know every single person who is being credentialed to work an NFL game, who they are, and the access levels they should have to do their job. And a big part of it is accountability for those individuals, embracing it, learning it, and evaluating the safety and security of the program."

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The new system went live during the first week of preseason — and there already are some who aren't fans.

In Las Vegas, the police union in the area is pushing back on the new facial recognition system. Steve Grammas, president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, claimed that the information could get "in the hands of people who are anti-cop that support a different agenda than what law and order supports."

“They’re going to take your biometric data — your face, and they’re going to use that however they need to," Grammas said. "And they’re going to extend that to their NFL family partners to use your information should they need to."

The police union is advising its members not to work games at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Raiders, which could leave the stadium in a predicament if there is no police presence.

It's unclear whether the union will go through with the boycott. The Raiders' first home preseason game is set for Saturday, Aug. 17 against the Cowboys.