Cineplex policy requiring customers to lower face coverings, masks when scanning ticket

That’s right, customers entering a theater like this one will be required to lower their masks or face coverings when scanning their tickets so that their faces will be captured on security cameras. Now this new policy comes as Cineplex has seen an increase in security and vandalism incidents in recent months. The latest happening this past Sunday when 2 male suspects were seen with a large knife entering A Cineplex theater in Oshawa and spraying what is believed to be pepper spray during a movie, causing minor irritation to the people inside. Both suspects took off before police arrived. Now it follows earlier incidents of screen slashings, drive by shootings and noxious substances being set off at Cineplex Cinemas across the GTA. In a statement, Cineplex says the policy has been implemented so we can recognize those who’ve already trespassed for previously disruptive behavior. Still, some, including Ontario’s former privacy commissioner, wonders if the policy goes too far. Your facial image is one of the strongest pieces of privacy that needs to be protected because it can be used in a number of ways that can come back to bite you. So the point is, if they’re going to engage in any surveillance that captures your facial image, at the very least they need to obtain your consent right up front. Yeah, you agree with that. Somebody can get with a mask on, do whatever, and they cannot be recognized. I believe it’s actually a very nice one because the safety is like way more than. It used to be. Now, this policy has already been implemented and this just in from Cineplex. They say, quote, if there are medical, cultural or religious reasons why guests can’t briefly lower their mask, they can simply let one of our managers know. I’ll send it back to you, Tracy. Kayla, thank you for that.