Meta Removes NameTag Face-Recognition Code From App on 50 Million Phones After WIRED Report
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Jun 8
Meta Removes NameTag Face-Recognition Code From App on 50 Million Phones After WIRED Report
3 articles · Updated · WIRED · Jun 8
Summary
A new Meta AI app release stripped out nearly all dormant NameTag components a day after WIRED reported the face-recognition system had been embedded in software installed on more than 50 million phones.
The removed code included face-recognition libraries, the NameTag matching process, a “Person recognized” alert, and a folder for cropped images and biometric signatures of people the system failed to identify.
WIRED said the unreleased feature was designed to turn faces captured by Meta smart glasses into faceprints and compare them with a database stored on the user’s device, while also indexing unrecognized faces for later processing.
Meta had publicly disputed the reporting—communications chief Andy Stone said “the feature does not exist,” and CTO Andrew Bosworth called the story misleading—while declining to answer 10 questions about data retention, opt-in controls, and server transfers.
Privacy advocates said the rollback does not erase the decision to ship the code, arguing it underscores the need for stronger consumer privacy laws as Meta has not said whether it still plans to pursue NameTag.
After secretly testing face-scanning tech, can we ever trust Meta with our biometric data?
Should lawmakers ban facial recognition in consumer gadgets to prevent corporate overreach?
2026 NameTag Scandal: Meta’s Smart Glasses and the Fight for Privacy in the Age of AI Wearables
Overview
In early June 2026, Meta's "NameTag" facial recognition feature was discovered in its smart glasses app, signaling it was almost ready for release. This revelation quickly sparked privacy concerns, as experts warned that the technology could turn everyday users into a distributed surveillance network by allowing them to identify people around them. The feature is designed to recognize individuals, raising fears about widespread, unconsented tracking. These concerns are heightened by Meta's controversial history with facial recognition, including past legal challenges and public distrust. The discovery reignited debates about privacy, surveillance, and the responsible use of AI in consumer devices.