# Meta hit with class action over secret AI face recognition tool NameTag

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-11T07:59:00Z · updated 2026-09-14T03:55:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/meta-sued-over-biometric-data-collection

## Summary

Meta faces a federal class action lawsuit alleging it harvested biometric data from Facebook and Instagram users without consent to train generative AI models and develop a facial recognition feature called NameTag. Filed in the Northern District of Illinois in September 2026, the suit claims violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and California privacy laws. The plaintiffs, represented by Wexler Boley & Elgersma LLP, argue that Meta created digital faceprints from user-uploaded photos, including images of non-users, to build templates for smart glasses.

NameTag, designed for Ray-Ban and Oakley AI glasses, allows users to identify strangers by pointing their glasses at them. Code for the feature was discovered in Meta’s companion app in June 2026 and subsequently removed after media attention. The lawsuit covers data collected since September 2021. Meta has acknowledged using platform data for AI training since 2007, including for its Emu image model, but argues that NameTag processes data on-device, which may complicate BIPA claims regarding data possession.

The legal stakes are high, with BIPA allowing statutory damages of up to $5,000 per intentional violation. A ruling against Meta could set a precedent restricting how tech companies use social media imagery for AI training, impacting not only Meta but also competitors like Google, Apple, and Amazon who rely on similar data foundations for computer vision systems.

## Key points

- Class action alleges Meta scraped biometric data from Facebook and Instagram without consent to train AI models.
- Secret facial recognition feature NameTag for smart glasses was discovered in code and later removed after media reports.
- Plaintiffs claim violations of Illinois BIPA and California privacy laws, seeking statutory damages for unauthorized data collection.

## Why it matters

A ruling against Meta could establish a precedent restricting the use of social media imagery for AI training, impacting the data strategies of major tech companies and AI startups relying on similar computer vision foundations.

## Sources

1. [Meta faces class action over AI training data and secret face recognition feature](https://cryptobriefing.com/meta-class-action-ai-training-nametag-biometric) (cryptobriefing.com, 2026-09-11)
2. [Meta Faces Proposed Class Action Over AI Training And Smart Glasses Facial Recognition](https://pulse2.com/meta-faces-proposed-class-action-over-ai-training-and-smart-glasses-facial-recognition) (pulse2.com, 2026-09-14)
3. [Meta sued in class-action lawsuit over using Facebook, Instagram photos for AI smart glasses](https://thenews.com.pk/latest/1416045-meta-sued-in-class-action-lawsuit-over-using-facebook-instagram-photos-for-ai-smart-glasses) (thenews.com.pk, 2026-09-13)
4. [Meta Sued For Using Facebook, Instagram Photos To Train AI For Smart Glasses](https://ndtv.com/world-news/meta-sued-for-using-facebook-instagram-photos-to-train-ai-for-smart-glasses-12036640) (ndtv.com, 2026-09-12)
5. [More parents sue Meta over how it treats their children](https://yahoo.com/news/us/articles/more-parents-sue-meta-over-215039562.html) (yahoo.com, 2026-09-11)
6. [Meta AI glasses lawsuit now includes 'bystander' plaintiffs who say privacy was violated](https://thecooldown.com/green-tech/meta-ai-glasses-privacy-bystanders-lawsuit) (thecooldown.com, 2026-09-10)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Meta hit with class action over secret AI face recognition tool NameTag", 11 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/meta-sued-over-biometric-data-collection

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