Meta has removed facial recognition features from its smart glasses app after a report revealed hidden biometric profiling capabilities.
Meta has decided to eliminate facial recognition features from its Meta AI app for smart glasses after concerns were raised in a report by WIRED.
The investigation revealed a hidden system named NameTag embedded in the app's code, which allowed for the creation of unique biometric profiles by capturing images and indexing faces without user consent.
While Meta claimed the report was "inaccurate," the company responded by releasing an update that removed elements related to facial identification, including storage for processed photos and notifications for successful recognition.
Andrew Bosworth, Meta's Chief Technology Officer, previously indicated that no final decision had been made regarding the technology's implementation, despite code references suggesting plans to deploy it during a period when privacy issues might be less scrutinized.
Human rights organizations, including the ACLU, have condemned Meta's actions, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative measures to regulate biometric data collection practices.
Currently, remnants of the system can only be found in the app's debugging menu. Meta has not provided further comments on the rationale behind the code's removal.
In addition to this controversy, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Meta in March, alleging that the company improperly sent sensitive images captured by the smart glasses to contractors in Kenya.
