Meta has recently revealed plans for a new feature in its smart glasses that would enable users to identify nearby individuals through facial recognition technology, as reported by various sources. While this feature would allow users to opt-in, individuals surrounding them would lack the option to decline participation. Currently, the Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses indicate when their built-in camera is operational by flashing an LED light, but it remains uncertain whether there will be any warnings when facial recognition is activated.
Facial Recognition Feature in Meta’s Smart Glasses Raises Privacy Concerns
The Information has outlined that Meta is exploring the integration of facial recognition systems into its smart glasses. This addition is believed to utilize the existing Live AI functionality of the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, and it is referred to internally as “super sensing.” The potential feature could allow users to scan faces in their vicinity and potentially identify them by name.
Although the facial recognition system would be opt-in for the glasses’ wearers, those nearby would not have the ability to decline being scanned. Concerns arise from the possibility that Meta might even consider disabling the camera indicator when this feature is in operation, thereby avoiding alerting individuals that their faces are being recognized.
The inclusion of the camera indicator was intended to notify people nearby when the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses are capturing images or video. However, it appears that this LED notification may not activate if the facial recognition feature is active, raising further privacy issues.
In a related development last year, two students from Harvard University created a technology stack named I-XRAY, which combined Meta’s smart glasses with large language models and facial recognition tools to identify their fellow students by name and location. Their demonstration showcased the simplicity of utilizing facial recognition with smart glasses, highlighting the potential risks associated with widespread access to such technologies.
While I-XRAY itself was never publicly launched, Meta’s consideration of incorporating a similar feature into its smart glasses could potentially provide widespread identification capabilities for all users of the device.
