Meta's Scary Smart Glasses 👁️🗨️: Surveillance Alert!
Tech
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In 2024, Meta, the company behind smart glasses developed by Ray-Ban and Oakley, outlined plans for a new facial recognition feature, dubbed “Name Tag,” according to a document reviewed by The New York Times. The company intended to launch the feature during a dynamic political environment, anticipating that critics’ attention would be elsewhere. Initially, a launch at a conference for the blind was considered, but ultimately did not occur. The “Name Tag” feature, utilizing Meta’s AI assistant, would reportedly identify people the wearer is connected with on Meta’s platforms or those with public accounts on sites like Instagram. A project by two Harvard students leveraged public databases to identify faces and names for users of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. While Meta aims to connect people, the company has faced legal challenges regarding facial recognition technology, having discontinued its use following prior issues with tagging Facebook photos.
NAME TAG: META’S RECENT FACIAL RECOGNITION STRATEGY
Meta is planning to introduce a facial recognition feature, dubbed “Name Tag,” within its smart glasses, strategically launching it during a period of reduced scrutiny from critics. This internal document, dated last May, outlines the feature’s capabilities and the company’s rationale for timing the launch. The core functionality of “Name Tag” would enable users to identify individuals through Meta’s integrated AI assistant, representing a significant shift in the company’s approach to leveraging biometric data. Notably, Meta initially considered launching the feature at a conference for the blind, but this plan was ultimately abandoned. The company’s intention is to deploy “Name Tag” as soon as possible this year, capitalizing on a less-defended landscape.
TARGETED FACIAL RECOGNITION & PREVIOUS LEGAL CHALLENGES
The proposed “Name Tag” feature’s functionality centers on identifying individuals, with Meta initially intending to utilize the technology to recognize people connected through Meta’s platforms. Furthermore, the company is exploring the identification of individuals with public accounts on sites like Instagram. This targeted approach contrasts with Meta’s previous, broader deployment of facial recognition, particularly in tagging individuals within Facebook photos. In 2017, Meta launched this capability, but discontinued its use in 2021 following legal challenges and public outcry. This history underscores Meta’s cautious approach, demonstrating a willingness to adapt its strategy based on regulatory and ethical considerations. The company's past actions highlight a need for stringent oversight and responsible implementation of facial recognition technology.
APPLICATIONS & EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS – A MIX OF OPPORTUNITY & RISK
Meta is actively exploring potential applications of “Name Tag,” including collaborations with external partners. A notable example is the work of two Harvard students who developed a project utilizing Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to identify faces and access public databases for names, addresses, phone numbers, and relatives. This demonstrates the potential benefits of the technology for individuals with visual impairments, aligning with Meta’s stated goal of improving lives. However, this same functionality also presents significant security risks, particularly if connected to a broader social network or database. Envision, a company specializing in assistive technology, has already partnered with Solosto to launch glasses that use AI to recognize people – but only after a user initiates the process and assigns a name within the app. Meta’s spokesperson, Erin Logan, emphasized the company’s commitment to building products that connect and enrich lives, signaling a desire to balance innovation with responsible development.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.