Disneyland fans have voiced outrage after the park began rolling out facial recognition technology at entrance gates. The Walt Disney Company this week announced the technology will be introduced at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, with similar systems expected to expand across other locations.
How the Technology Works
The company said the technology is designed to speed up entry into the parks and reduce ticket fraud. At designated entrance lanes, cameras capture an image of a guest's face and compare it to the photo taken when the ticket or pass is first used. The system converts those images into unique numerical codes, compares them to verify identity, and deletes the data within 30 days unless it must be retained for legal or fraud-prevention purposes.
Voluntary Participation
While the company emphasized that participation is voluntary, and traditional entry lanes do not use facial recognition technology for guests, people have deemed the move dystopian and linked the technology to 'Big Brother.' Many questioned the Walt Disney Company's claim that pictures will be deleted within 30 days, asking: 'Why not immediately?'
However, other Disney fans highlighted that many companies use similar technology and were overjoyed that they will not have to wait hours in line. The Walt Disney Company said guests who wish to use the system are directed to enter through designated lanes marked 'Entrance' at park entry points. Those who choose not to participate may instead use the parks' main entrances along the Esplanade, where tickets are manually verified by staff rather than processed using biometric technology.
Privacy and Security Measures
Company guidelines state that children under the age of 18 may use the service only with the consent of a parent or guardian. The company has implemented technical, administrative, and physical safeguards designed to protect guest information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. It noted that security procedures are reviewed periodically as new technology becomes available, while acknowledging that no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Mixed Reactions from Guests
At the parks, guests expressed a range of reactions, with some welcoming the change. Kathleen Agbisit shared on Facebook: 'It was fine. It actually moved things along quicker.' While John LeSchofs told the Los Angeles Times: 'Pretty much every other place is doing the same thing. The police, the government, they're all using facial recognition. I don't think it's going to stop.'
However, others voiced concern about the new technology. Robert Howell told the Los Angeles Times: 'It's a little scary because it's not clear how it's going to be used. With TSA, I know that's an option that you can opt out, but I didn't realize you could here, so I just did it.' Sandra Contreras said the technology made her uneasy, particularly when it came to her young daughter, saying: 'When it came to me, I just did it. But when they were going to do it for her, it freaked me out a little bit, to be honest. I mean, I felt like we had to do it … but I think it’s more concerning for children just to protect their privacy.'
