Meta adds unreleased facial recognition code to glasses app

Meta has embedded code for an unreleased facial recognition system within the companion app for its smart glasses, according to an analysis of the company's software. The feature, internally called "NameTag," is designed to identify people captured by the cameras on Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses and alert the wearer upon recognition.

The code resides in the Meta AI app, which has been downloaded more than 50 million times and is necessary for using key features of the smart glasses. Core components of the system were reportedly integrated into the software as early as January. Three AI models powering the feature have been deployed: one detects faces, another crops them from images, and a third converts them into biometric data, known as faceprints, for comparison against a database stored on a user's phone. The feature is not currently enabled for consumers.

Meta stated that the findings are evidence of exploration and that no consumer-facing facial recognition feature has launched. Company spokesperson Ryan Daniels said that no final decision has been made and that if such a feature were rolled out, it would be done with full transparency. The company also stated it...