Massive Attack has rebuffed bizarre claims that they are using facial recognition technology on their fans at their recent concerts.
The 90s icons were accused of pulling information from public databases as they scanned the live audience, which was then shown on screens.
As part of the effects, a satirical facial detection effect was run on gig-goers with fictional facts displayed — no actual data was used.
In a post on Instagram, they blasted various outlets for repeating the ‘brainless’ story, which ‘snowballed’ while ‘nobody bothered to fact-check’.
They then clarified: ‘Firstly, no Massive Attack live show has ever recorded or stored personal data.
‘Secondly, only government departments, relevant authorities & approved contractors can access public databases in the UK, & doing so in multiple cities/countries would be impossible.’
They continued: ‘Our show system is live-only, using a simple face-detection effect, combined with a completely fictional “database” that is randomly assigned.
It was intended as an artistic endeavour and ‘a provocation on the hyper-expansion of surveillance capitalism’.
The trio, originally from Bristol, added: ‘With recent emphasis placed on ICE repression & targeting of students, & student repression in Serbia depicted via face tags that describe specific roles in student protests.’
Focusing on the UK government, the statement criticised the ‘overreaching almost all other western democracies with their use of public facial recognition … while there is no specific legislation regulating police use of these systems.’
They finished their ‘It Isn’t What It Isn’t’ statement with a picture of the fake facial recognition software.
The trip-hop group, first formed in 1988 and consisting of Daddy G and 3D, rose to fame in the 90s with albums Blue Lines and Mezzanine.
At a recent gig, after being forced to cancel dates in July, they brought out Irish trio Kneecap, having also been vocal supporters of Palestine.
Massive Attack called them a group ‘who refused to be silenced for their solidarity with the Palestinian people.’
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