Disneyland lets visitors opt out of facial recognition in the parks

Disneyland visitors who don’t want to provide a “faceprint” to access Main Street U.S.A. and are nervous about entrusting Disney to keep their biometric data safe from cybercriminals can now opt out of the high-tech security measures used by the Anaheim theme park.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have begun offering front entrance lanes that do not use facial recognition software combined with biometric technology.

The move by Disneyland comes amid concerns about mass surveillance and tracking in public spaces as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency cracks down on illegal immigration.

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Both Disney parks now offer designated lanes that do not employ biometric technology for visitors who “do not wish to participate” and “do not wish to use this service” that eases park entry and helps prevent fraud.

The Disneyland and DCA entry lanes not using biometric technology are marked by overhead signs with a silhouetted person in a rounded square with a diagonal strikethrough, according to WDW News Today.

Disneyland employees may still take photos of visitors in the opt-out lanes, but biometric technology will not be used on the images. Kids can use the lanes with the consent of a parent or guardian.

Signs notifying visitors of the option have been posted just inside the security screening areas at the Disneyland resort parking structures and lots, according to WDWNT.

Disneyland takes photos of daily visitors and annual passholders at park entrances and uses biometric technology to convert the images into unique numerical values. The biometric data compares the numerical values to find a facial match with the photo saved when a ticket or annual pass was first used.

Disney deletes all biometric numerical values within 30 days except in cases where the data must be maintained for legal or fraud-prevention purposes.

Disneyland employs security measures to protect visitor information from unauthorized access or disclosure.

“The security, integrity and confidentiality of your information are extremely important to us,” according to the Disney Experiences website. “Please be aware that, despite our best efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable.”