Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, has agreed to pay a staggering $1.4 billion to settle a lawsuit brought by the state of Texas over its use of biometric data. This marks the largest settlement ever obtained by a single state from a lawsuit, surpassing the $390 million settlement secured by 40 states against Google in 2022.
Why Did Texas Sue Meta?
The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in February 2022, alleged that Meta unlawfully captured the biometric data of millions of Texans without their consent. This practice violated the state’s “Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier” law, enacted in 2009 to regulate the use of biometric data for commercial purposes.
The crux of the issue lies in Meta’s “Tag Suggestions” feature, introduced in 2011. While claiming to improve the user experience by making it easier to tag people in photos, the feature secretly ran facial recognition software on virtually every uploaded image, capturing facial geometry data without user knowledge or consent.
What is Biometric Data?
Biometric data refers to unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, that can be used for automated recognition. While beneficial for various applications, biometric data is also highly sensitive and can be misused for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
It’s worth noting that Meta is not alone in facing lawsuits over biometric data. Companies like Amazon, Target, and Snapchat have also been embroiled in similar legal battles.
Other Legal Troubles for Meta
In addition to the Texas settlement, Meta is facing other significant legal challenges. The company agreed to pay $725 million in December 2022 to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that user data was accessible to third parties without consent.
Moreover, a lawsuit filed by over 40 states claims that Meta’s social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have negatively impacted the mental health of young users through addictive algorithms.
Conclusion
The $1.4 billion settlement with Texas represents a major victory for privacy advocates and a significant financial blow to Meta. As the use of biometric data continues to expand, it’s clear that companies will face increasing scrutiny and potential legal consequences for mishandling this sensitive information.
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What are your thoughts on this massive settlement? Do you believe it will deter other tech companies from misusing biometric data? Share your opinions in the comments below.
