CHICAGO —
In a rare off-field controversy, the Chicago Cubs have emerged with a quiet legal victory after lawsuits accusing the team of using facial recognition technology at Wrigley Field were voluntarily dismissed in both federal and state court.
The cases, filed under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), alleged that the Cubs and their security contractors had improperly scanned fans’ faces without obtaining the written consent required by law. Plaintiffs — including Gabriel Berta, Jill Lichte, and Jason Spiese — claimed their biometric data had been collected during games without disclosure or authorization.
However, in early October 2025, both sets of plaintiffs withdrew their claims. No settlement or public explanation accompanied the filings.
The Legal Landscape
From the outset, the Cubs denied all allegations, publicly stating that no facial recognition systems were used on fans or employees at Wrigley Field. Legal analysts suggest that the dismissals — though not a formal ruling — effectively clear the organization without the risk of statutory damages that could have reached $5,000 per violation under BIPA.
“This is a quiet but significant win for the Cubs,” said one Chicago-based sports law expert. “The financial exposure in a biometric privacy case can be enormous, so any voluntary dismissal is effectively a victory.”
The outcome mirrors several other recent BIPA cases where defendants successfully argued that no biometric data was ever collected or that their policies were compliant with Illinois law.
What It Means for the Cubs
For the franchise, the dismissal removes a potentially costly distraction from the offseason — a period already filled with roster decisions and front-office evaluations. It also restores confidence among fans who had voiced concerns about privacy and data collection at the century-old ballpark.
While the plaintiffs retain the right to refile, legal observers note that such a move would be unlikely without new evidence.
Broader Implications
The case underscores how Illinois’ BIPA continues to shape how major organizations handle biometric data such as face scans, fingerprints, and voiceprints. Even without proven harm, companies can face lawsuits for missing technical compliance requirements — a legal risk that’s prompted many venues to reassess their data policies.
For now, though, the Chicago Cubs can consider the chapter closed.
A potentially high-profile privacy battle has ended not with a verdict, but with silence — and in that silence, the team found its win.
