S.T.O.P. Condemns Meta Plan For Facial Recognition Smart Glasses

S.T.O.P. condemns Meta’s plan to add facial recognition to its smart glasses made with Ray-Ban and Oakley.

View this email in your browser For Immediate Release   S.T.O.P. Condemns Meta Plan For Facial Recognition Smart Glasses (New York, NY, 2/13/26) - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a privacy and civil rights group, condemns Meta’s plan to add facial recognition to its smart glasses made with Ray-Ban and Oakley. According to reporting by the New York Times, the feature would allow anyone wearing the smart glasses to identify people and learn information about them through Meta’s AI system. An internal memo from Meta stated they are strategically planning the technology while civil rights groups across the country are “focused on other concerns.” S.T.O.P. warned the new feature poses grave privacy risks that will enable stalkers, hackers, and the Trump administration’s attack on immigrant communities, protesters, abortion and gender-affirming care seekers, and other vulnerable groups. SEE: The New York Times - Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/technology/meta-facial-recognition-smart-glasses.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.g5tg.6KgWwJ4-DqFp&smid=url-share “This is beyond dystopian and a new privacy low even for Meta,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Communications Director Will Owen. “The fight Americans are facing to protect our democracy is inextricably tied to privacy and anti-surveillance. We will never ignore the rollout of such an invasive tool that will undoubtedly aid in Trump’s far-right agenda. Border Patrol has already used Meta’s smart glasses to film protesters, and paired with facial recognition, the technology will become even more dangerous.” SEE: The Daily Northwestern - Border Patrol covertly filmed Dec. 17 protesters with Meta smart glasses, Daily analysis finds https://dailynorthwestern.com/2026/01/07/city/border-patrol-covertly-filmed-dec-17-protesters-with-meta-smart-glasses-daily-analysis-finds/ In 2022, S.T.O.P. condemned Meta for helping Nebraska officials prosecute a seventeen-year-old teenager for allegedly violating the state’s 20-week abortion ban. Meta reportedly shared the teenager’s Facebook Messenger data after receiving a warrant from Nebraska law enforcement. SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns Meta For Helping Nebraska Prosecute Teen For Abortion https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2022/8/9/stop-condemns-meta-for-helping-nebraska-prosecute-teen-for-abortion?rq=Facebook The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates to curb excessive government surveillance and expose its discriminatory impacts on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. –END– Copyright © 2025 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.