Meta Plans to Integrate Facial Recognition Technology into Its Smart Glasses
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is preparing to reintroduce facial recognition technology, this time as a feature in its smart glasses, according to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions. The company aims to launch this capability, internally named “Name Tag,” potentially within the year.
Facial recognition technology was once a hallmark of Facebook’s photo-tagging system but was discontinued five years ago amid widespread concerns over privacy and legal challenges. The decision at that time reflected Meta’s stated intent to strike “the right balance” regarding the technology’s controversial implications. Now, through its collaboration with Luxottica—the maker of Ray-Ban and Oakley eyewear—Meta plans to revive facial recognition by incorporating it into its wearable augmented reality devices.
The new feature, “Name Tag,” would allow users wearing Meta’s smart glasses to identify individuals nearby and access information about them via Meta’s artificial intelligence assistant. This development reflects the company’s broader ambitions to enhance interactive and personalized technology experiences through AI integration.
Meta’s internal documents reveal ongoing deliberations about the potential privacy and safety risks this technology poses. An internal memo from May 2025 outlined a cautious rollout strategy beginning with limited deployment for attendees at a conference for blind individuals, although this initial release has not yet occurred. The company continues to refine its approach ahead of a broader public launch.
Interestingly, Meta’s internal team noted that the current politically turbulent climate in the United States could inadvertently provide a “window” for introducing the feature, suggesting that civil society groups typically critical of facial recognition might be distracted by other pressing national issues.
The prospect of widespread facial recognition use in consumer devices has reignited long-standing concerns among privacy advocates and civil liberties organizations. Facial recognition technology has drawn criticism for its potential to facilitate unauthorized surveillance by governments, enable intrusive tracking by businesses, and enable misuse in social settings. In response to such concerns, several U.S. cities and states have enacted restrictions or outright bans on police use of facial recognition systems, citing accuracy and ethical issues. Additionally, some Democratic lawmakers have urged agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to halt use of facial recognition technology on public streets.
Meta’s commitment to embedding facial recognition within smart glasses signals a significant development in how wearable technology might intersect with everyday social interactions and raises important questions about transparency, consent, and data protection moving forward.
As of now, Meta has not publicly confirmed the precise timeline for the feature’s launch, nor detailed how it will address user privacy and regulatory compliance. Observers and privacy watchdogs will undoubtedly closely monitor the rollout of this potentially transformative, yet controversial, technology.
