San Francisco Castro Bars Pause Security Technology After Privacy Backlash
The bars will switch to manual ID checks while they review security practices amid broader scrutiny of Patronscan’s data use, advocates said.
- On Saturday, Badlands and Toad Hall, San Francisco bars in the Castro District, paused their use of PatronScan following community backlash over surveillance of LGBTQ+ patrons.
- Digital rights group Fight for the Future launched a petition calling on Castro District venues to remove the AI-assisted technology, arguing data collection could endanger vulnerable communities.
- PatronScan VP of People & Operations Rhiannon Mosoronchon defended the system, stating it does not use facial recognition and that data is deleted after 21 days under California law.
- While Badlands and Toad Hall returned to manual ID checks, The Mix bar continues using the technology, prompting activists to maintain their boycott campaign.
- Evan Greer, digital director of Fight for the Future, argued venues should redirect resources toward staffing rather than surveillance technology. "It's important that we don't frame this as some kind of philosophical debate between privacy and safety," Greer said.
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East Bay Times
The Mercury news2 San Francisco bars pause use of ID technology after community pushback
“We have heard the concerns regarding the use of Patronscan at Badlands and Toad Hall in San Francisco, and we are listening,” said Brian Aranda, director of operations at both bars.
SF Gay Bars Drop Face-Scan ID Tech Amid Backlash
The San Francisco Chronicle reports: Privacy rights advocates are doing a victory lap after two famed San Francisco gay bars agreed Thursday to ditch facial recognition technology after a boycott campaign. In a move first reported by the Gazetteer, Castro district bars Badlands and Toad Hall said they would pause their use of the AI-powered platform Patronscan, marketed as an easy way to verify IDs and ages and flag problem patrons across all ve…
Two San Francisco gay bars ditch controversial face-scanning technology after furious backlash from LGBTQ community
Two San Francisco gay bars have opted out of a face-scanning technology that drew backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community over privacy concerns. Castro bars Badlands and Toad Hall were embroiled in a controversy after they installed PatronScan, which requires guests to have their photos scanned and IDs verified before entering, per SFGate. Privacy rights activists...
2 popular gay bars in San Francisco 'pause' use of ID verification tech after pushback
The Gilbert Baker Memorial Rainbow Flag towers above Harvey Milk Plaza at the intersection of Castro and Market streets in the Castro District in San Francisco, Calif., on July 30, 2024.
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