Concerns over user privacy are growing as multiple organisations have called on Meta to halt its reported plans to introduce facial recognition in future smart glasses.
An open letter signed by 77 organisations working in privacy and civil liberties has been addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The letter urges the company to “immediately halt and publicly disavow its plans to deploy facial recognition features on its Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses, including the feature reportedly known internally as Name Tag.”
Earlier reports had suggested that Meta is developing a facial recognition system called Name Tag. The feature is said to use a live AI assistant capable of detecting and identifying people around the user in real time.
While the company has not confirmed how such a system would be trained, there are concerns it could rely on data from its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads.
The letter highlights serious risks linked to facial recognition technology. It warns that such features could lead to stalking, harassment, and threats to safety, especially for marginalised and vulnerable groups. It also raises concerns that opt-out options may not be enough to prevent misuse.
The organisations have asked Meta not to release any facial recognition features and to publicly disclose any cases where its devices may have been used in incidents involving stalking, harassment, or violence. They also want details on steps taken to address such risks.
Responding to the concerns, a Meta spokesperson said, “Our competitors offer this type of facial recognition product, we do not. If we were to release such a feature, we would take a very thoughtful approach before rolling anything out.”
The issue highlights the ongoing debate around balancing innovation with privacy and safety as AI-powered devices continue to evolve.
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