Meta works on real-time facial recognition, codenamed ‘Name Tag’, for smart glasses
Facebook maker Meta is reportedly working to introduce a real-time facial recognition feature, codenamed “Name Tag,” to its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Facial recognition in Meta smart glasses is expected to launch this year, allowing users to scan faces in public and instantly access identification information through Meta’s AI assistant.
Meta initially announced its smart glasses at Meta Connect 2023, but the real-world impact of this technology has raised significant privacy concerns.
What is the Meta name tag feature?
Meta’s in-process name tag feature is being designed to enable Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses to:
- Identify individuals in real time
- Recover personal information linked to your identity
- Show these details through the glasses’ built-in AI interface
This development would turn glasses into consumer facial recognition devices. The most puzzling thing about this stealth feature is that it would be accessible to the general public, rather than being restricted only to law enforcement or security agencies.
Although Meta has not confirmed a release date for the update to its smart glasses, experts have revealed that discussions about the feature are underway.
Privacy concerns and ethical implications
Other reports have hinted that the feature has been debated among Meta experts for over a year due to serious privacy and security concerns.
The incorporation of facial recognition into wearable devices is raising critical questions about consent, data accuracy, and its long-term societal impact.
While Meta is set to advance its AI-powered wearable devices, the introduction of such technology could dramatically impact privacy in public spaces.
