Tom Morello is leading the fight against technology. Who’s with him? It’s us against the AI overlords.

Technology is amazing, let’s make that very clear. It’s incredibly advanced in all its functions, but with that comes the fact that it is also incredibly scary. Ticketmaster have now officially invested in facial recognition tech, which will allow concertgoers to associate their digital ticket with their facial image, thus granting them access to the show via face. Sure that seems useful, and also crazy advanced, but a group of musicians would like to think otherwise. They have raised concerns for the volatile uses that this new tech may bring about.

Technology is great, but we may not always comprehend its intended uses. Ticketmaster has invested in facial recognition technology, with the purpose of allowing a concertgoer to associate their digital ticket with their image, allowing them to enter a show. While that seems like something that would be useful, a group of musicians and other concerned parties are worried about another use for the technology.

Tom Morello is among a number of musicians from different genres who have joined a coalition called Fight for the Future asking for the surveillance to be banned because it might single out audience members for the purpose of being unjustly detained, harassed or judged.

Other artists lending their support to the campaign and joining Tom Morello include Anti-Flag, Amanda Palmer, Atmosphere, Brian Fallon, The Glitch Mob, Thievery Corporation and more. You can learn more about the campaign here.

“Ticketmaster — owned by the same company as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Electric Daisy Carnival, Electric Forest, and more — is investing in facial recognition technology, which puts undocumented fans, fans of color, trans fans, and fans with criminal records at risk of being unjustly detained, harassed, or judged. 24/7 mass surveillance will not keep concerts safe. We can stop this,” reads a statement on the campaign website.

“I don’t want Big Brother at my shows targeting fans for harassment, deportation, or arrtest” wrote the legendary rocker on Twitter, “That is why I am joining this campaign calling on Ticketmaster and others not to use facial recognition at festivals and concerts.”

We’re definitely in the future now for this to be a headline. Big Brother is watching.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine