Meta plans to add facial recognition to its smart glasses, report claims | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Aisha Malik

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Meta is reportedly planning to integrate facial recognition technology into its smart glasses, a feature internally referred to as "Name Tag." This innovation would enable users to identify individuals and retrieve information about them through Meta's AI assistant. The company has been evaluating the release of this feature since early 2023, with concerns over safety and privacy risks playing a significant role in their decision-making process. According to an internal memo, Meta had initially considered testing the Name Tag feature at a conference for the visually impaired before making it available to the public. However, they ultimately decided against this plan. The company appears to have seen the current political climate as an opportune moment to launch the feature, with one document suggesting that civil society groups might be preoccupied with other issues during a "dynamic political environment." The move to revive facial recognition technology for its Ray-Ban smart glasses comes after Meta abandoned similar plans in 2021 due to technical challenges and ethical concerns. The New York Times reports that the decision to pursue this feature again may also reflect the growing alignment between the Trump administration and Big Tech, as well as the unexpected success of Meta's smart glasses. Facial recognition technology has long been a contentious issue, with critics raising concerns about its potential for misuse and privacy violations. By reintroducing this feature, Meta is taking on a leadership role in shaping how such technologies are developed and deployed. The company’s approach to balancing innovation with ethical considerations will likely set an important precedent for the broader tech industry. This development underscores the ongoing tension between technological advancement and societal concerns over privacy and civil liberties. As facial recognition becomes more prevalent, questions about its responsible

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/13/2026