Meta reportedly wants to add face recognition to smart glasses while privacy advocates are distracted
Leaked memo reveals Meta's strategy to slip controversial tech past distracted watchdogs.
Deep Dive
An internal Meta memo, reviewed by The New York Times, reveals the company plans to launch facial recognition for its Ray-Ban smart glasses "during a dynamic political environment" to avoid scrutiny. The 'Name Tag' feature would identify people connected to the wearer on Meta platforms or with public Instagram accounts. Meta, which faced legal battles over face tech before, reportedly aims for a 2026 launch after a failed initial attempt targeting the blind community.
Why It Matters
This move could normalize real-time, wearable facial recognition, creating unprecedented privacy and surveillance risks for the public.