Meta plans to add facial recognition to its smart glasses, report claims

Meta is reportedly planning to introduce facial recognition technology, called “Name Tag,” to its smart glasses as early as 2026. This feature would enable wearers to identify people and access information about them via Meta’s AI assistant. The company has been weighing the safety and privacy implications of this technology since early 2025, delaying its rollout despite initial plans to debut it at a conference for the visually impaired. The decision to move forward with Name Tag appears influenced by the current political climate in the United States, which Meta views as a strategic moment to launch a potentially controversial feature. The company had previously considered facial recognition for its Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2021 but shelved the idea due to technical difficulties and ethical concerns. Renewed interest in the technology coincides with the Trump administration’s more favorable stance toward big tech and the unexpected commercial success of Meta’s smart glasses.