75+ Rights Groups Demand Meta Cancel Ray-Ban Facial Recognition Feature

A massive coalition of more than 75 civil rights, privacy, and advocacy organizations has sent an open letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding the company permanently abandon its planned facial recognition feature for Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses.

Who Signed the Letter

The letter was led by the ACLU, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), and Fight for the Future, and co-signed by groups representing domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, worker rights advocates, and consumer privacy organizations. The breadth of the coalition signals how seriously civil society views the threat.

What They're Demanding

• Permanently cancel the "Name Tag" facial recognition feature that would identify people in a wearer's field of view
• Publicly disclose any past instances of Meta glasses being used for stalking or harassment
• Reveal any discussions with law enforcement agencies — including ICE — about deploying the technology

Why It Matters for Buyers

This follows the EFF's March warning and a US Senate inquiry about Meta's facial recognition plans. The growing opposition raises a real question: could regulatory action limit the functionality of glasses you've already purchased? The Ray-Ban Meta remains an excellent product on its own merits, but buyers should understand the privacy landscape is evolving rapidly. See current prices here.