For Immediate Release
S.T.O.P. Condemns MSG Entertainment Surveillance of Protesters, Sports Fans On Social Media
(New York, NY, 4/17/2026) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, condemns MSG Entertainment’s surveillance of neighborhood protests and sports fans on social media. According to reporting by WIRED, security staff confirmed they have been ordered to observe protests near MSG Entertainment venues and former MSG security staffer, Donnie Ingrasselino alleges in a 2025 lawsuit he was ordered to embed in nearby pro-Palestine protests. Dolan and security chief John Eversole also allegedly review social media for negative comments about the Knicks, Rangers, or Dolan, investigating commenters’ backgrounds. WIRED reports MSG’s social media surveillance led Colorado police to visit the home of a 14-year-old boy after he posted a tweet.
SEE: WIRED - The Shocking Secrets of Madison Square Garden's Surveillance Machine
https://www.wired.com/story/madison-square-garden-jim-dolan-surveillance-machine/
“MSG Entertainment’s surveillance is already bad enough within its venues, but spying on protesters and sports fans on social media takes it to another level,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Michelle Dahl. “James Dolan is behaving as though he has his own neighborhood police force, threatening New Yorkers’ right to free speech and assembly. Beyond NYC, Dolan targeting a 14-year-old boy in Colorado for a tweet shows just how far corporate leaders will go in abusing social media surveillance.”
In September, S.T.O.P. condemned MSG Entertainment’s alleged use of facial recognition to bar a transgender woman from Knicks games. In 2022, the civil rights group condemned Dolan for doubling down on the corporation’s use of facial recognition.
SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns MSG Entertainment Use of Facial Rec. To Bar Transgender Woman From Knicks Games
https://www.stopspying.org/content-input/stop-condemns-msg-entertainment-use-of-facial-rec-to-bar-transgender-woman-from-knicks-games?rq=MSG%20Entertainment
Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns MSG CEO For Doubling Down On Facial Recognition
https://www.stopspying.org/content-input/2023/1/27/stop-condemns-msg-ceo-for-doubling-down-on-facial-recognition-92pdk?rq=MSG%20Entertainment
The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.
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