Meta embeds facial recognition code into its smart glasses to identify people

Meta has quietly embedded face-recognition code into its smart glasses platform, a development uncovered when WIRED reviewed the software and discovered an unreleased system designed to identify people using biometric data stored on users’ phones. This finding confirms that the technology, internally known as "Nametag," is being prepared for integration into Meta’s smart glasses lineup, potentially as early as this year.

According to the report, the system is designed to work seamlessly with Meta’s artificial intelligence assistant. When a user wearing the glasses looks at someone, the AI could instantly pop up in their ear or on their phone with the person’s name, contact details, and other publicly available information. This capability transforms the glasses from simple audio or camera devices into powerful social identification tools.

The implications are significant for privacy and anonymity in public spaces. Critics, including tech commentators and privacy advocates, argue that such technology could effectively destroy the ability to remain anonymous in crowds. As noted by Gizmodo and other outlets, the mere possibility of being identified at a glance raises serious ethical concerns about surveillance and data misuse.

Meta has not officially released the face-recognition feature yet, but internal memos and code reviews suggest the company has been deliberating on its rollout for over a year. The company’s hesitation stems partly from concerns about safety and privacy, as reported by the New York Times. However, the existence of the code indicates that development is ongoing and that deployment may be imminent.

This technology was previously considered for the first version of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in 2021 but was scrapped due to technical challenges and ethical concerns. Now, with a new platform and improved capabilities, Meta appears ready to bring the feature back. The reintroduction of Nametag signals a major shift in how the company views the role of AI in everyday social interactions.

What happens next depends on Meta’s decision to officially release the feature and how regulators and the public respond to its privacy implications. As more users adopt smart glasses, the potential for widespread biometric identification grows, making this a critical moment for digital rights and ethical AI development.