Privacy scandal: Meta smart glasses face AI spy allegations
Meta smart glasses can identify anyone (photo: Getty Images)
More than 70 human rights organizations have sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg demanding an immediate halt to the development of facial recognition features for Meta smart glasses. Activists claim that the Name Tag technology could turn the device into a perfect tool for stalkers, blackmailers, and aggressors, according to Engadget.
How the technology works
Developers explain that the technology Meta is developing uses AI to match a person’s image captured by the glasses’ camera with publicly available online data.
Levels of identification
- First level: The system recognizes people already in the user’s friends or contacts list on Meta platforms.
- Second level: AI identifies anyone with a public Instagram or Facebook account, retrieving information about profession, relationships, and habits.
- Law enforcement cooperation: Rights groups are demanding that Meta disclose details of negotiations with federal agencies (including ICE) regarding the use of this data for law enforcement purposes.
Corporate strategy – concerns about timing
Particular outrage was sparked by an internal company memo leaked to the media. In it, Meta allegedly suggested launching facial recognition during a “dynamic political environment” when public attention from advocacy groups would be distracted.
In effect, the company was reportedly planning to introduce mass surveillance when no one was watching.
Meta’s response
Meta officially states that it is only exploring safety approaches and notes that competitors already offer similar products. However, the company’s history of multibillion-dollar fines for biometric privacy violations has led the public to question Zuckerberg’s promises.
Potential impact
Analysts suggest that if the feature is launched, it could trigger the largest wave of account deletions in social media history.
