The Meta AI application has hidden code for a secret feature called NameTag, which can identify individuals from photos and videos through smart glasses. However, Meta denies that this feature has been activated yet, and there is no clear conclusion at this time.
WIRED magazine published an article titled "Meta Silently Added Face-Recognition Code for Its Smart Glasses to Millions of Phones," reporting that the companion app for Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, including Oakley Meta Glasses, may have facial recognition capabilities designed to identify people from images.and videoscaptured through the glasses.
WIRED conducted an in-depth analysis of the Meta AI app and discovered a hidden, inactive AI feature called NameTag. This feature can analyze faces recorded by Meta Ray-Ban glasses, process the data, and notify users when familiar faces are detected.
The report states that NameTag has undergone continuous development through multiple updates.After Meta announcedthe launch of new glasses, the Meta AI app serves as the intermediary connecting the device's functions with the smart glasses. It allows the glasses to access the internet and Meta AI's backend processing systems, since the glasses cannot operate without the app.
This means the infrastructure for the facial recognition feature has already been embedded in nearly every device connected to Meta Ray-Ban glasses.It appears that Meta storesfacial data recognized by the system on the user's device after retrieving facial characteristics from the company's servers.
WIRED noted that Meta mentioned considering the possibility of a facial recognition feature as early as April, and following updates that laid the foundation for the NameTag system,it is estimated that the feature has been developedsince January. In theory, if users have not updated the Meta AI app since then, the NameTag code might still be embedded in the app.
Currently, NameTag operates by converting faces into biometric data using three AI models: a face detection model, a face segmentation model, and a model that converts the face into usable biometric information.
However, Meta clarified thatthis feature is not yet active. A Meta representative confirmed that the feature is not in use and no final decision has been made about its future. If activated, Meta will proceed carefully, announce it transparently, andaffirm that Meta has no policyto create a centralized facial database.
In the smart glasses market, Meta faces increasing competition,particularlyfrom Google's glasses produced and developed in partnership with Samsung.
Source:WIRED