A coalition of more than 70 activist groups is urging Meta to halt plans for a facial recognition feature on its AI-powered Ray-Ban smartglasses, warning it could endanger LGBTQ+ people and abuse victims. The proposed “Name Tag” feature would allow users to identify individuals in their field of view by pulling up personal information.
One version limits identification to existing Meta connections, while another could identify anyone with a public account across Meta platforms. Advocacy groups — including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Fight for the Future, UltraViolet, and Old Dykes Against Billionaire Tech Bros — argue the technology could be misused by stalkers, abusers, and even federal agents.
In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the coalition said the feature offers no meaningful way for individuals to opt out. The groups are also calling on Meta to disclose any past misuse of its wearable technology and detail any discussions with law enforcement agencies. Research cited by the coalition shows LGBTQ+ individuals face heightened risks in public spaces, raising concerns that such technology could further erode privacy and safety.
