Company Says It Is Not Building a Centralized Face Database
Meta has removed code related to a facial recognition feature from the companion application for its smart glasses, according to a recent report. The move comes shortly after the discovery of an internal system that, although never activated for users, raised concerns about privacy and biometric data collection.
What Was NameTag, Meta’s Facial Recognition Technology?
According to the investigation, the code belonged to a feature called NameTag, which had been added to several updates of the Meta AI application this year.
Although the tool was never made available to the public, the system was capable of creating faceprints, or unique biometric signatures, for every face captured by the smart glasses’ cameras. Once a person was recognized, the system could have alerted the wearer of the glasses.
The technology represented a significant advancement in facial recognition for consumer devices, but it also sparked concerns regarding privacy and the use of biometric information.
Meta Removes Traces of the Feature from the App
According to the latest analysis, the newest version of the Meta AI app removed nearly all references to the NameTag project.
Additionally, a folder that would have stored biometric signatures of individuals the system was unable to identify was also removed.
The deletion of the code suggests that Meta has decided, at least for now, to halt the visible development of this feature within its smart glasses ecosystem.
Meta Says There Is No Central Face Database
The company confirmed that no version of this technology was ever released to consumers.
In a statement, Meta explained that if it ever decided to launch a similar feature, it would do so in a transparent and carefully considered manner.
The company also addressed one of the main concerns surrounding this type of technology:
“We are not building a centralized face database.”
This statement aims to respond to concerns raised by privacy advocates and civil rights organizations that have historically questioned the use of facial recognition technologies by major technology companies.
Meta Continues Exploring Facial Recognition Applications
The news follows previous reports indicating that Meta had resumed work on facial recognition technologies during 2025.
Earlier this year, the company acknowledged that it was still evaluating potential applications for the technology. Previously disclosed internal documents showed that Meta had considered launching NameTag during a changing political environment, when organizations critical of facial recognition technology might have been focused on other issues.
However, the recent removal of the code appears to indicate that the company is reconsidering how such capabilities could be integrated into future products.
Privacy and Technology: An Ongoing Debate
The case once again highlights the ongoing discussion about balancing technological innovation with privacy protection.
As smart glasses continue evolving into increasingly sophisticated AI-powered devices, facial recognition remains one of the most sensitive topics for regulators, privacy experts, and consumers.
For now, Meta maintains that no facial recognition tool based on NameTag has been released to the market and that it is not developing a centralized face database.
Source: Yahoo Tech
