Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over allegations of illegally collecting biometric data through facial recognition technology.
Points
- Texas accused Meta of violating biometric privacy laws.
- The lawsuit centered on Meta’s “Tag Suggestions” feature.
- The settlement highlights the importance of adhering to biometric privacy laws.
The state of Texas has reached a $1.4 billion agreement with Meta Platforms, the corporate parent of Facebook, over allegations that the company illegally collected biometric data through facial recognition technology. Texas accused Meta of harvesting information from millions of Texans without their consent.
Texas Holds Meta Responsible for Data Misuse
The state’s lawsuit, filed in 2022, accused Meta of using facial recognition technology to gather biometric data from photos and videos uploaded to Facebook by users. Texas argued that this violated a 2009 Texas law on biometric privacy, which carries fines of up to $25,000 per offense for unauthorized collection. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that the deal reflects the state’s determination to stand up to the world’s biggest technology companies and hold them accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans’ privacy rights.
Meta’s Settlement Agreement with Texas | Source: Coin Republic
Impact of the Settlement
The case centered on Meta’s “Tag Suggestions” feature that deployed facial recognition technology to automatically propose
tags for people seen in photos. According to the state, this feature captured biometric information “billions of times” illegally through this tool from users based in Texas. While denying any wrongdoing, Meta agreed to the settlement and expressed its intent to invest more within Texas, including the establishment of data centers.
Implications for Biometric Privacy Laws
The actions by Meta affected millions living in Texas by exposing them to various risks, such as misuse or even abuse, considering their biometric details were involved during these processes. This agreement reflects the seriousness associated with these concerns and ensures people’s rights are protected against unauthorized disclosure or access at all times.
The settlement with Meta sends a strong message to tech companies about the importance of adhering to biometric privacy laws. As more people become concerned with digital security, there has been greater scrutiny over firms’ methods of collecting, storing, and utilizing such data, including biometric information. This may cause states to reevaluate their laws governing biometrics and how they enforce them in light of cases involving the protection of user privacy rights.
Meta Platforms’ legal troubles are not unique; other tech giants, including Google, have faced similar legal challenges. In 2020, Google reached a $650 million settlement in Illinois following a class action over biometric privacy, highlighting the potential liabilities associated with this area of data protection law.
Conclusion
The $1.4 billion settlement between Meta Platforms and the state of Texas underscores the critical importance of biometric privacy laws. As digital security becomes an increasing concern, companies must ensure their practices comply with legal standards to protect user privacy. This case serves as a reminder to tech companies about the potential consequences of violating biometric privacy laws and the need for transparency and accountability in their data collection practices.
Meta’s Settlement Agreement with Texas | Source: Coin Republic