Full Breakdown
Meta Removes Dormant Facial-Recognition Code from Smart-Glasses Companion App Amid Privacy Scrutiny
6/9/2026, 7:07:55 AM
Discovery of Hidden Facial-Recognition Code
On June 4, WIRED identified an unreleased facial-recognition system, code-named NameTag, embedded in the Meta AI app that pairs Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses. The dormant code could detect faces, generate biometric faceprints, and compare them to a locally stored database, while uncatalogued faces were saved locally. After the report, Meta issued a June 5 update that removed the NameTag libraries.
Background & Context
Meta shut down its Facebook facial-recognition system in 2021 after a $650 million settlement (later a $2 billion class-action settlement). Internal February 2024 memos discussed launching NameTag during a “dynamic political environment.” Ray-Ban/Oakley glasses launched Sep 2023 at $299, offering AI features like object detection. The feature was positioned as a convenience tool for users to recognize acquaintances.
Key Figures & Groups
Key participants include Andy Stone (VP of communications), Andrew Bosworth (CTO), spokesperson Ryan Daniels, EFF researcher Cooper Quintin, analyst Buchodi, former policy official Joseph Jerome, and >70 civil-rights groups (e.g., ACLU).
Data & Statistics
The Meta AI app has >50 million installs; >700 000 glasses shipped. NameTag includes three AI models and stores faceprints locally. Prior settlements total $2.65 billion.
Official Statements & Responses
Meta said NameTag is exploratory, no final decision on deployment, and no central face database; confirmed removal but gave no further comment.
Criticism & Opposition
Over 70 privacy groups urged abandonment, warning of surveillance. EFF’s Cooper Quintin called it a “distributed surveillance machine.” A class-action revealed Kenyan workers reviewing footage; Harvard students demoed real-time identification.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
WIRED and Gizmodo label the code inactive; analysts Buchodi and others deem it “nearly ready to go.” Integration dates range from January to June. Meta has not clarified removal or future plans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No final decision has been made on what to do here, if anything.” — Andy Stone, Vice President of Communications, Meta
- “This is more than shoddy reporting, it’s intellectually dishonest,” — Andy Stone, Vice President of Communications, Meta
- “Pure advocacy-driven click bait.” — Andy Stone, Vice President of Communications, Meta
- “Incredibly misleading from Wired, sadly we are coming to expect that from them more and more. Absolutely dishonest.” — Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer, Meta
- “The main components of a face-recognition feature are already in Meta’s companion app,” — Buchodi, Security Researcher
What’s Next
EU regulators may scrutinize any future real-time biometric use under the AI Act; Meta’s silence leaves open re-deployment, prompting watchdog monitoring.
