UMVA has learned that Meta has been secretly installing facial recognition technology in its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses for months, sparking concerns over mass surveillance and privacy.
The feature, internally known as "NameTag", uses AI to identify people captured by the glasses' camera, alerting the wearer when it recognizes someone and storing faceprints on users' phones. This raises questions about the potential for millions of private face databases controlled by Meta.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the software works by transforming images of people photographed with Meta glasses into biometric faceprints, which are then checked against a database stored locally on the user's Meta AI mobile app. If a match is found, the user is notified; otherwise, the faceprint is indexed into a "pending" folder.
This development has sparked alarm among privacy advocates, who warn that it could turn customers into a "distributed surveillance machine". The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Threat Lab has described the move as a serious threat to privacy and civil liberties.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Meta's plans for facial recognition in smart glasses were met with fierce resistance, with over 70 organizations, including the ACLU, demanding that the company halt its NameTag plans. The coalition argued that the technology represents a serious threat to privacy and civil liberties, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable groups.
A YouGov survey found that nearly half of all adults support a total ban on smart glasses in public places due to concerns over built-in cameras and internet connectivity. Despite this, Meta seems intent on developing the technology, with a spokesperson claiming that the company is "exploring these types of features" and will take a "thoughtful approach" if it decides to roll out the technology.
Meta's history with facial recognition technology is marked by controversy, including a $650 million class-action settlement over its previous use of the technology. While the company claims it is not building a central face database, it is installing the groundwork for millions of private face databases that it controls and administers.
The debate over facial recognition in smart glasses highlights the tension between privacy concerns and potential benefits, such as accessibility for the blind. Some advocates argue that facial recognition can be a matter of social equity, but others warn that it could erode trust and infringe on civil liberties.
In a world where facial recognition technology is increasingly prevalent, the question remains as to whether companies like Meta can be trusted to prioritize user privacy and protect sensitive information. The answer, for now, remains unclear.
