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Entertainment agency HYBE announced on 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 data privacy and security.
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 roster.
The tech will make its debut at "42:CLUB," scheduled for February 14 to 16 at Seoul's Handball Gymnasium.
HYBE claims that the innovative system will quicken the entry process, replacing ID and ticket checks with a simple facial recognition process.
The technology, they explained, will offer a seamless entry experience while deterring ticket scalpers and cut down on queues.
In order to scan their faces to enter a venue, fans must scan and upload their biometric data to Toss's server before the day of the event.
Despite HYBE's claims that the system will be purely "optional," with ticketholders welcome to enter concerts with tickets and IDs, fans were incensed.
"This is like a human rights violation. I bought a ticket with my own money and went to see a performance, but they have to do all kinds of verification?" said one commenter.
"Why do you even need my personal information when I just want to go to a concert?" asked another.
Platform Toss assured Korea JoongAng Daily that "Fans will be able to withdraw from the [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 stored for one year even after the user terminates the agreement, and such data can be stored for up to 10 years if "malicious attempts, including the use of masks or altered videos," are detected.
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