Democrats Press Meta Over Facial Recognition Plans for Smart Glasses
Democratic senators are urging Meta not to deploy facial recognition in its smart glasses, expressing concern that the technology would enable real-time identification of people in public without their consent. They warn this could facilitate stalking, harassment, and violations of privacy, especially considering Meta’s extensive data ecosystem. Reports have already surfaced of sensitive footage, including intimate moments, captured and viewed by contractors without subjects’ knowledge. Privacy advocates argue that individuals recorded in public spaces cannot consent and that using such footage for AI training worsens data protection risks. The senators seek answers from Meta about potential matching of faces to social media profiles, procedures for bystander consent, and handling of biometric data. They emphasize that individuals do not consent to biometric surveillance simply by being in public. Meta has not confirmed if or when it plans to launch facial recognition on smart glasses, nor responded to the senators’ letter seeking clarification.
