Entertainment agency HYBE announced Monday that it is introducing a new facial recognition system designed to “bring convenience” to K-pop fans attending concerts, which has faced pushback from fans concerned about privacy and security of the data.
The K-pop label announced via an official press release that its latest Face Pass technology, developed in collaboration with Toss and InterPark Triple – the operator of InterPark Ticket – will be used at the first fan event of TWS, a rookie boy band . on their list.
The technology will debut at “42:CLUB,” scheduled for Feb. 14-16 at the Handball Gymnasium in Seoul.
HYBE says the innovative system will speed up the entry process, replacing identity and ticket checks with a simple facial recognition process.
The technology, they explained, will offer a seamless entry experience, discouraging ticket touts and reducing queues.
To scan their faces to enter a venue, fans must scan and upload their biometric data to the Toss server before the day of the event.
Despite HYBE’s claims that the system will be purely “optional”, with ticket holders invited to enter concerts with tickets and ID, fans were infuriated.
“It’s like a human rights violation. I bought a ticket with my own money and went to see a show, but they have to do all kinds of checks?” one commenter said.
“Why do you need my personal information when I just want to go to a concert?” asked another.
Platform launch guaranteed Korea JoongAng Daily that “Fans will be able to withdraw from [Face Pass] agreement at any time and remove the saved biometric data.”
The app’s terms and conditions state that fans’ facial data will be retained for one year even after the user terminates the agreement, and such data may be retained for up to 10 years if “malicious attempts, including use of masks or altered videos,” are detected.
