Meta Settles Texas Facial Recognition Suit for $1.4B, a Milestone Agreement.
Published Date: 31/07/2024
Meta has agreed to a historic $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over allegations of using biometric data without users' consent, including facial recognition and fingerprint data.
"In a landmark settlement, Meta has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to the state of Texas to resolve a privacy lawsuit over allegations that the tech giant used biometric data of users without their permission. This is the largest settlement secured by a single state, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stating that it demonstrates the state's commitment to holding big tech companies accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans' privacy rights.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that Meta was in violation of a state law that prohibits capturing or selling a resident's biometric information, such as their face or fingerprint, without their consent. Meta had previously faced similar allegations in Illinois, where a judge approved a $650 million settlement in 2021.
The company has now paid over $2 billion in settlements for biometric privacy claims, according to Chicago-based class action attorney Jay Edelson. This significant payout sends a strong signal to other companies to be cautious when handling individuals' biometric information.
In 2021, Meta announced that it was shutting down its face-recognition system and deleting the faceprints of more than 1 billion people amid growing concerns about the technology and its misuse by governments, police, and others. The company had introduced facial recognition over a decade earlier but gradually made it easier to opt out of the feature as it faced scrutiny from courts and regulators.
Meta's decision to settle the lawsuit underscores the growing concern about the use of biometric data and the need for companies to prioritize user privacy. The company's statement announcing the settlement emphasized its commitment to exploring future opportunities to deepen its business investments in Texas, including potentially developing data centers.
Meanwhile, Texas has also filed a similar lawsuit against Google, alleging that the search giant collected millions of biometric identifiers, including voiceprints and records of face geometry, through its products and services. That lawsuit is still pending.
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Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is a leading technology company based in Menlo Park, California. The company provides a range of services, including social networking, online advertising, and data analytics.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a Republican who has been a vocal advocate for consumer privacy and protection. Jay Edelson is a Chicago-based class action attorney who has filed several high-profile lawsuits against tech companies over biometric privacy claims."
FAQs:
"Q: What is the amount of the settlement agreed upon by Meta and Texas?
A: $1.4 billion
Q: What is the basis of the lawsuit filed by Texas against Meta?
A: Allegations that Meta used biometric data of users without their permission, including facial recognition and fingerprint data.
Q: How many people had their faceprints deleted by Meta in 2021?
A: Over 1 billion people
Q: What is the name of the class action attorney who filed the lawsuit that settled for $650 million with Meta in Illinois?
A: Jay Edelson
Q: Which other tech company is facing a similar lawsuit from Texas over biometric data?
A: Google"
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