Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Meta's AI-enabled smart glasses on Wednesday over privacy concerns related to facial data collection and unauthorized recordings.
The investigation centers on Meta AI Glasses, which are equipped with cameras, speakers, and communication tools that allow users to capture and share audio and video. According to Paxton's office, the glasses feature an "always enabled" mode that continuously processes video data for Meta AI products. While the glasses include a small LED indicator designed to activate during audio and video recording, the indicator can be easily hidden and does not activate during the always-enabled mode.
Paxton issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Meta to examine whether the company misrepresented its use of private consumer data in violation of Texas law. The investigation follows reports that employees at Sama, Meta's Kenya-based subcontractor, have accessed private user information. Data annotators at Sama claimed they viewed video material showing users' private moments, including bathroom visits. One employee noted that while faces in annotated data are supposed to be automatically blurred, this does not always occur.
The New York Times reported that Meta plans to introduce facial recognition technology to the glasses through a feature internally code-named "Name Tag," which would enable Meta to collect facial geometry from individuals captured by the glasses' built-in cameras.
In July 2024, Paxton secured a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta over the company's unlawful use of facial recognition technology in its application.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
