US senators question Meta over smart glasses data usage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe concept of smart glasses that instantly recognize people may seem futuristic, but it has already raised privacy concerns. Experts say technology may change the way people interact in public places but also make it harder than ever to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
Democratic senators are pressuring Meta over a reported plan to introduce real-time facial recognition technology into its Ray-Ban smart glasses. The senators, all Democrats from Massachusetts and Oregon, respectively, were Edward J. Markey, Jeff Merkley, and Ron Wyden wrote to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing concern over the potential stalking, harassment, and selective bullying that would result if the technology matched identified faces with social media profiles without the individual’s consent.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers want to know how Meta handles this type of information, how they get consent from viewers, and whether they share any information. \u201cAmericans do not consent to biometric data collection simply by walking down a public street,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
The company’s smart glasses are already under scrutiny when it comes to collecting user information. There were reports that contractors in Nairobi were looking into sensitive material collected by smart glasses, such as intimate material. \u201cIn some videos, you can see someone going to the toilet or taking off clothes,\u201d said a contractor.<\/p>\n
Experts have expressed that the integration of cameras with AI-based face recognition technology increases the risks. John Davison, senior policy analyst at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, pointed out that wearers cannot give consent on behalf of everyone and that AI technology could raise data privacy concerns.<\/p>\n
The senators’ letter asked about facial recognition, consent mechanisms and the storage or sharing of biometric data for those with Facebook or Instagram accounts. Senators have asked him to reply by April 6.<\/p>\n
Meta reported that videos can be filtered before being reviewed by humans and that the technology uses a combination of automated and manual processes to improve performance. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n