Meta Settles Texas Facial Recognition Suit for $1.4B, a Record.

Published Date: 30/07/2024

Meta settles lawsuit with Texas over alleged misuse of biometric data, including facial recognition and fingerprints, without user consent.

"In a significant development, Meta has agreed to a massive $1.4 billion settlement with the state of Texas, resolving a privacy lawsuit that accused the company of violating state law by capturing and selling biometric data without user consent. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that Meta had been collecting and using the biometric information of Texas residents, including their facial recognition data and fingerprints, without obtaining their explicit permission.

According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this settlement is the largest secured by a single state. In a statement, Meta expressed its satisfaction with the resolution, stating that it looks forward to exploring new business opportunities in Texas, including the potential development of data centers.

This development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate surrounding the use of biometric data and facial recognition technology. In 2021, Meta announced the shutdown of its facial recognition system, which had been used to recognize and tag individuals in photos. This decision followed growing concerns over the potential misuse of facial recognition technology, particularly with regards to privacy and surveillance.

Interestingly, at the time of its shutdown, more than one-third of Facebook's daily active users had opted-in to use the facial recognition feature. However, in 2019, Facebook had already taken steps to limit the use of facial recognition by stopping the automatic recognition of people in photos. Instead, users were required to opt-in to use the feature, which gave them more control over their biometric data.

The settlement serves as a reminder to companies to prioritize user privacy and obtain explicit consent before collecting and using sensitive biometric data. As facial recognition technology continues to evolve, it is essential for companies, policymakers, and consumers to work together to establish clear guidelines and regulations governing its use.

  Information 

Meta, formerly Facebook, Inc., is an American online social media and social networking service company based in Menlo Park, California. The company operates several popular social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Texas. He is responsible for protecting the rights of Texas citizens and upholding the laws of the state."

FAQs:

"Q: What is the value of the settlement reached between Meta and Texas?

A: $1.4 billion

Q: What was the basis of the lawsuit filed against Meta in Texas?

A: Alleged misuse of biometric data, including facial recognition and fingerprints, without user consent.

Q: What was the outcome of Meta's facial recognition system in 2021?

A: Shutdown and deletion of prints of more than 1 billion people.

Q: What is the role of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton?

A: Chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Texas, responsible for protecting the rights of Texas citizens and upholding the laws of the state.

Q: What is Meta's stance on the settlement?

A: Satisfied with the resolution, looks forward to exploring new business opportunities in Texas, including the potential development of data centers."

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