Meta AI has made changes to its smart glasses’ policies that allow it to collect more data for training artificial intelligence models. The update, sent to most owners on April 29, means the “Hey Meta” feature is always enabled and uses any images captured through the lens of the built-in camera.
This change raises concerns about the device’s ability to record information even when users aren’t thinking about it. Users can delete recordings manually, but voice recording storage has been removed as an option. Instead, recordings will be stored for up to a year for AI improvement and accidental interactions for 90 days.
The motivation behind these changes is clear: more data for the AI machine. Meta’s recent updates include a live translation feature on its smartglasses and a standalone AI app. The company’s all-in approach to AI means it needs vast amounts of data to fine-tune its models, especially after allegedly fudging benchmark test results.
As devices with cameras and microphones become more prevalent, it’s inevitable that companies will prioritize data collection over user privacy. Meta’s actions demonstrate the direction in which device manufacturers are heading: surveillance technology disguised as wearables or home speakers.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/meta-is-turning-its-ray-bans-into-a-surveillance-machine-for-ai-2000596395