The National Football League (NFL) has announced the implementation of mandatory facial recognition software across all 32 teams. This decision comes after a trial run last year at select venues, including Cleveland Browns Stadium, and will officially kick off with this summer's preseason games.

The new system will kick off with the Patriots and Giants home games on August 8.

According to Jeff Boehm, chief operating officer of Wicket, the company behind the facial recognition technology, this system is designed to ensure that only properly credentialed media, officials, staff, and guests can access restricted areas such as the playing field, press box, and locker rooms.

"Big news for Wicket as the NFL expands the use of our technology league-wide this season!" Boehm announced on LinkedIn. "Credential holders simply take a selfie before they come, and then Wicket verifies their identity as they walk through security checkpoints."

Billy Langenstein, senior director of security services for the NFL, emphasized the need for "accountability and standardizing credentialing policies and technologies" in his statement to the Sports Business Journal.

While the NFL touts this initiative as a necessary step towards enhanced security, many are questioning whether it represents an alarming shift towards surveillance culture in America.

The Record reported:

Wicket technology was deployed in a handful of NFL stadiums last year as part of a pilot program. Other stadiums will start rolling it out beginning on Aug. 8, when the pre-season kicks off.