Madison Square Garden Refutes Allegations of Celebrity 'Risk Assessment' Database

Denial of Allegations

Madison Square Garden (MSG) has officially pushed back against a recent report alleging that the venue assigns specific "risk scores" to high-profile guests and celebrities. A spokesperson for the organization issued a formal statement, noting, «WIRED’s reporting is inaccurate and false. MSG is pursuing legal remedies.»

Details of the Reported Database

The controversy emerged following a report that suggested an internal database containing information on approximately 40,000 public figures included risk assessments for a small fraction of them. According to the original report, these designations reportedly ranged from "flagged" status to being completely "banned from MSG." The information allegedly surfaced after a hacking group known as ShinyHunters released a large volume of internal documents.

The report claimed that the categorization system included various tiers of risk, allegedly labeling certain actors and musicians based on perceived status or past interactions with the venue. The list supposedly ranged from "low risk"—a category reportedly containing several prominent, long-time fans of the New York Knicks—to "high risk," and in some instances, total exclusion from the premises.

Broader Privacy Concerns

In addition to the alleged risk scores, the report highlighted concerns regarding the tracking of personal demographics. It was suggested that the database maintained records on political figures, as well as data points related to the race, gender identity, and sexual orientation of numerous individuals who have visited the venue.

Context of the Surveillance Allegations

This situation follows previous scrutiny regarding the venue's security practices. Earlier, reports had surfaced concerning the alleged use of sophisticated surveillance technology to monitor visitors within the arena. Activists have expressed concern over these practices, suggesting a potential pattern of excessive monitoring of specific groups. In response to these ongoing claims, representatives from digital rights organizations have remarked on the venue's intense focus on the movements and identities of those attending events at the facility.