Meta is reportedly exploring a new feature for its smart glasses that would allow users to identify individuals nearby through facial recognition technology. According to sources, this feature would be optional for smart glasses owners but would lack the ability for those being scanned to decline identification. Currently, the Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses notify nearby individuals with an LED light when the integrated camera is in use, though it remains unclear if any indication would be given when the facial recognition functionality is activated.
New Facial Recognition Feature Raises Privacy Concerns
The Information has reported, with corroboration from Engadget, that Meta has previously considered integrating facial recognition capabilities into its smart eyewear. Dubbed “super sensing” internally, this capability would build on the existing Live AI functions of the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses.
If implemented, this feature would allow users wearing Meta’s smart glasses to scan and identify faces of people within their vicinity, potentially providing names to those who come into view. Although participation in the facial recognition system would be voluntary for the glasses’ wearers, individuals nearby would not be able to opt out of being scanned and identified.
The report indicates that Meta has also contemplated the option of turning off the camera usage indicator when facial recognition is active, which may alarm privacy advocates. The camera indicator was introduced to keep those around the glasses informed when photo or video capture was in progress; however, it might not function during the use of facial recognition.
In a related development last year, two students from Harvard University demonstrated a technology called I-XRAY, which utilized Meta’s smart glasses alongside large language models and facial recognition techniques to identify classmates, including their names and addresses. Their demonstration highlighted the ease with which such technology could function in conjunction with smart eyewear.
While I-XRAY was never officially launched, Meta’s consideration of embedding similar features into its products could empower all users of its smart glasses to employ these advanced identification capabilities.
