According to a report by The New York Times, Meta is planning to incorporate facial recognition technology into its smart glasses this year. The feature, internally referred to as “Name Tag,” would enable the wearer to identify individuals in their line of sight and access information about them via an integrated artificial intelligence assistant.
The development of this feature has been under consideration within the company since the beginning of 2025, with a focus not only on the technical aspects but also on potential security and privacy risks. Internal documents acknowledge the possibility of significant controversy and backlash from public entities in response to the introduction of such technology.
Initially, Meta had intended to trial the facial recognition feature at a conference for individuals with visual impairments before making it available to a wider audience. However, this plan has been abandoned in favor of a potential launch during a time when community groups may be preoccupied with other matters, such as the political climate in the United States.
The concept of integrating facial recognition capabilities into glasses was first considered in 2021 during the development of the initial version of the device in partnership with Ray-Ban. At that time, the feature was abandoned due to technical challenges and ethical concerns. Now, amidst increasing interest in smart glasses and closer collaboration between tech giants and the US government, Meta has revisited the idea.
It should be noted that the plans regarding the implementation of facial recognition in Meta’s smart glasses are subject to change, and the final decision on whether to proceed with the feature has not yet been finalized.
Meta and its products, including Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, are classified as extremist in the Russian Federation, leading to their activities being prohibited in the country.