Meta removed facial recognition code from Meta AI app
Wired reported that Meta had quietly embedded facial recognition code into its Meta AI app to enable a NameTag feature that converts faces captured by smart glasses into unique biometric profiles. Meta removed the code after the report was published and stated the technology was still under exploration, but did not answer questions about data retention and user consent.
What happened
A Wired report revealed that Meta had embedded facial recognition code into its Meta AI app, which works with Meta's smart glasses and has been downloaded on more than 50 million phones. The NameTag system in the app was designed to convert faces captured through the smart glasses into unique faceprints that could be matched against a database stored on the user's device to identify people.
Meta removed the facial recognition code from the Meta AI app in an update released a day after the Wired report was published. Meta Vice President of Communications Andy Stone stated the technology was still under exploration and that no final decision had been made on what to do with it, while Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth described the reporting as 'incredibly misleading' and 'absolutely dishonest.'
Reported impact
Wired reported that the app would store faces that the NameTag system failed to recognize, cropping and indexing them for future use. The extent of potential impact remained unclear, as Meta did not answer questions about how long biometric data would be stored, whether such information could be sent to Meta's servers, or whether users would have options to opt in or opt out.
Index analysis
The Kade Crockford, director of the technology for liberty program at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, stated: 'Meta's sneaky tactics in slipping the face-recognition code into its smart glasses show exactly why data privacy bills need the teeth of strong enforcement.'
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.