Meta’s Upcoming AI Glasses to Incorporate Facial Recognition, Sparking Privacy Issues
Meta is said to be reintroducing its debated facial recognition technology for a new line of AI-empowered smart glasses, codenamed “Aperol” and “Bellini,” as reported by The Information.
The tech titan had previously shelved facial recognition elements in its initial version of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses due to ethical and privacy dilemmas. However, recent reports indicate that Meta is proceeding with the technology, encouraged by a more business-friendly Federal Trade Commission during the Trump administration.
This advancement is part of a wider trend of progressively intrusive AI tools being embedded into consumer tech.
Earlier this year, Meta signaled this change when it revised the privacy policy for its augmented reality (AR) glasses in April. The company has also utilized facial recognition previously to authenticate user identities.
As per The Information, the new AI glasses will feature a live AI capability that keeps the device’s cameras and sensors perpetually on. This function will employ artificial intelligence to document and retain the wearer’s experiences throughout the day. While this feature will be optional for the user, it prompts concerns about the privacy of individuals being recorded, who may be unaware they are being captured. Meta is reportedly contemplating the inclusion of a visual cue—similar to the current light on the glasses that indicates photo or video recording—to inform others when the feature is operational.
Presently, the live AI feature is constrained to approximately 30 minutes of usage due to battery limitations. Meta is currently investigating methods to prolong that time to several hours while incorporating facial recognition functionalities.
This initiative is part of a broader industry pattern where tech firms are capitalizing on the AI surge to gather increasingly intricate user data. For instance, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas recently revealed ambitions to create a browser that collects more personalized data. OpenAI is rumored to be crafting a social network to rival Meta AI and Elon Musk’s xAI, both of which utilize user-generated content to train their AI systems. Concurrently, the Sam Altman-supported nonprofit World has unveiled a device that scans users’ eyes to verify human identity, differentiating humans from AI.
User data holds value not only for targeted marketing but is essential for training AI systems as well. Experts caution that companies are running low on publicly accessible data to educate their systems, prompting them to search for new sources—often jeopardizing user privacy.
As the struggle for data escalates, one thing becomes increasingly apparent: privacy is being overshadowed by surveillance.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of Mashable, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, claiming copyright infringement concerning the training and functioning of its AI systems.