Multiple outlets report that Meta has been developing facial recognition capabilities tied to its AI smart glasses ecosystem, drawing privacy and surveillance concerns. A WIRED investigation, echoed by Digital Trends and others, says Meta licensed face recognition technology from Rank One Computing, described as a Pentagon contractor and a vendor serving police and military clients. Reporters say Meta built a system (reported as “NameTag”) into an app associated with its smart glasses and deployed related software on tens of millions of phones before removing it.
Separately, Digital Trends and other coverage describe dormant facial-recognition code appearing within the Meta AI app, then disappearing after public scrutiny. CNET and TechRadar also highlight that facial-recognition-related “faceprint” tracking code exists in the Meta AI app even though the feature has not been broadly enabled.
Wired reports that after its investigation, the specific facial-recognition system identified by WIRED was removed from the latest version of the Meta AI app. Meta does not provide an explanation for the change, and outlets note that it does not confirm whether the capability will return.
