Meta secretly tested the facial recognition software from a defense contractor as it explores adding the technology to its smart glasses, according to reports citing internal software licensing documents and code discovered in the company’s AI app.
The technology was supplied by Rank One Computing, a Denver-based biometric software company whose customers include the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Its board includes former CIA Deputy Director Dawn Meyerriecks and former FBI science and technology chief Steve Meagher.
Meta’s license for Rank One Computing’s system includes facial recognition and “liveness detection,” capable of distinguishing real faces from photos or masks.
The facial recognition system was tied to an unreleased smart glasses feature known internally as “NameTag,” according to multiple reports. References to Rank One’s technology were also found in Meta’s AI app code, though the code was reportedly inactive and later removed after questions were raised about its presence.
Neither Meta nor Rank One commented on the reported business relationship.
The revelation comes as Meta continues to evaluate whether facial recognition should be incorporated into future versions of its smart glasses.
Earlier this year, The New York Times reported on a leaked internal memo from May 2025 that discussed the possibility of adding facial recognition capabilities to Meta’s wearable devices.
Meta acknowledged it is exploring such technologies but said no decision has been made regarding a consumer rollout.
“Regardless of any sensational reporting, the facts are simple: We’ve said before we’re exploring these types of features, and what you’re seeing is just evidence of that exploration,” Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels said.
“Nothing has shipped to consumers and no final decision has been made on what to do here, if anything. If we do decide to roll something out, we will take a thoughtful approach and do so with full transparency. One decision we can be clear about — we are not building a central face database.”
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses currently offer features such as photo and video capture, voice commands and artificial intelligence assistance.
Dangerous !!!… as bad people with bad intentions of all types put strangers they approach with knowledge of knowing them, fooling them into feeling safe as they hatch their evil scream!
Children elderly car jacking robbery all become easier with a made up trusted story that turns into a criminal act!
They don’t care about safety, just the military application for all new technology, Time for the Ted Kazinsky approach to tech.