Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Meta’s smart glasses technology over concerns that the devices may unlawfully collect Texans’ private data, recordings, and facial geometry.
According to Paxton’s office, the investigation focuses on Meta AI Glasses, which are equipped with cameras, speakers, and communication tools that allow users to capture and share audio and video from their surroundings.
The attorney general’s office said Meta’s privacy policy states the glasses include an “always enabled” mode that continuously processes video data for use with Meta AI products.
Officials also raised concerns about the glasses’ recording indicator light, which is intended to alert others when audio or video is being captured. According to the investigation announcement, the LED indicator can be easily concealed and does not activate while the device is operating in its “always enabled” mode.
Although Meta has promoted the glasses as “designed for privacy,” Paxton’s office said questions have emerged about how consumer data is handled.
The announcement cited reports involving Sama, a Meta subcontractor in Kenya, where data annotators allegedly had access to users’ private recordings, including sensitive and intimate moments. While some faces in video data were reportedly automatically blurred, one employee said that was not always the case.
The investigation also references reporting by The New York Times that Meta plans to add facial recognition technology to the glasses through a feature internally code-named “Name Tag.” According to Paxton’s office, the feature could allow the collection of facial geometry from individuals captured by the glasses’ cameras without their knowledge.
“I will continue to relentlessly stand up to any company that threatens the privacy and safety of Texans,” Paxton said. “Meta’s glasses raise serious concerns, and my office will thoroughly investigate these devices to ensure that no individual is being unlawfully recorded, tracked, or subjected to the unauthorized collection of their data.”
Paxton’s office said a Civil Investigative Demand has been issued to investigate whether Meta deceptively misrepresented the extent of its collection and use of consumer data in violation of Texas law.
The investigation follows a $1.4 billion settlement Paxton secured with Meta in July 2024 over allegations involving the company’s facial recognition technology.
