The Face Recognition Feature in Meta's Smart Glasses Sparks Widespread Controversy

Meta is preparing to include a face recognition feature in its smart glasses, a move that would enable users to identify people in real-time through a feature known as "Name Tag." This step is expected to ignite intense discussions about privacy and security, especially in light of the daily use of wearable devices.

How does the Name Tag feature work?

The technology relies on recognizing the faces of individuals that glasses wearers interact with, by linking to their account data on Meta's platforms or the company's public files. The feature allows for the immediate display of names, descriptions, or other information related to individuals through the smart assistant embedded in the glasses.
This technology is likely to be integrated into models such as Ray-Ban Meta glasses or future versions of them.

The Return of Face Recognition After a Long Hiatus

This development marks a significant shift in the company's policy, which halted the use of face recognition technology in its services since 2021 due to privacy concerns and regulations. The emergence of the idea now in smart glasses raises questions about whether the company has found a way to implement the technology without a clear violation of privacy rights.

Warnings from Privacy Advocacy Organizations

International entities and digital rights advocacy organizations have called for an investigation into this move and to prevent the widespread use of the technology, warning that the inclusion of face recognition in daily wearable devices could lead to comprehensive surveillance and pose a threat to citizens' fundamental rights.

Mixed Reactions from Users

Reactions from the digital community have varied; while some users see the technology as a way to remember names and facilitate social interactions, others warn of the potential for tracking individuals without their knowledge, emphasizing the need for strict laws before allowing this technology to be launched in the public market.

The Future of Smart Glasses at Meta

Meta is working on developing the next generation of its smart glasses, including improving battery life and "super sensing" vision features to enhance camera and processing capabilities, which could make the implementation of advanced functions like face recognition easier and more efficient in the future.