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Meta Now Collects More Data From Ray-Bans to Bolster AI
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I'm now retired after35+ years in the semiconductor industry, so the technology piece has always been intriguing for me. But, with genAI, I am 100% with you, I've stated in many stories here that I do not see any use case for me, and I have gotten aplenty of downvotes for that. But, it continues to be the buzzword ...
Having said that, the HW side is fascinating, I can see so many use cases, mostly in the professional world, but that is not what Meta cares about ...
just remember the story from a few days ago when an Instagram "director" was quoted as saying that ads are enhancing the user experience ...
That "director" could be acknowledging that Meta is the user, whose experience is being enhanced by scraping up customer's data mostly for its own purposes.
And... this is where AI is getting a bad rap ... by being misunderstood. This isn't "genAI" collecting this data per-se. Generative AI encompasses output algorithms, not input algorithms.
Now, granted, this collected data may be used to optimize generative AI, which would mean humans would be looking at the photos and footage to help with the training. "That's a cat, that's a tree" type of stuff.
You'll never catch me wearing these until they're made by Apple 😇
Wow, these glasses don’t help you read the fine print.
Meta this week sent out an email (via The Verge) to Meta Ray-Ban customers informing them about upcoming privacy changes to the smart glasses, which will increase the amount of data that Meta is collecting by default.
Meta says that voice recordings are stored by default when using Meta AI, and used to improve Meta products. Meta has eliminated the option to disable voice recording storage, and recordings need to be manually deleted in settings. Further, unless Meta AI is disabled on the Ray-Ban glasses, photos and videos taken with the built-in camera will be analyzed by AI and used for improving Meta's products.
From Meta's email:
The Meta Ray-Ban glasses are not continually recording footage that's accessible to AI, but Meta AI will store and use photos, videos, and voice recordings from Ray-Ban users who interact with Meta AI or use voice commands. With cloud processing on, media is also sent to Meta's servers where it can be used to improve Meta services. Of course, uploading images and video to Instagram and other Meta apps also gives Meta the exact same access.
- Meta AI with camera use is always enabled on your glasses unless you turn off "Hey Meta."
- Recordings of your voice are stored by default when using Meta AI and may be used to improve AI at Meta and other Meta products. The option to disable voice recordings storage is no longer available, but you can delete recordings anytime in Settings.
- You're still in control. You can turn off "Hey Meta" or delete Meta AI interactions anytime.
So if you say "Hey Meta, record a video," by default Meta records the voice command and stores the recording and an audio transcript of it, a feature that is now turned on by default and can't be turned off. If cloud processing is also on, or if you ask Meta AI a question about the video, Meta can access and use the video for AI training purposes.
Turning off Meta AI entirely on the Ray-Ban glasses and using manual controls for snapping photos and videos is the best method to ensure that Meta isn't collecting excessive data. More information is available in Meta's privacy policy.
Article Link: Meta Now Collects More Data From Ray-Bans to Bolster AI
Not in all situations:
California Audio and Video Recording Laws - Recording Law
Learn about California audio and video recording laws. When/Where you can make recordings and general information. Easy to digest with simple answers
recordinglaw.com
output algorithms based on data that was inputted, with or without consent, and in the case of these glasses, personal data
>the best method to ensure that Meta isn't collecting excessive data…
… is Not Using Anything Meta.
… is Not Using Anything Meta.
No sympathy for anyone who owns these.
Oh damn, this is a Robin Williams film I totally missed!
Tomorrows film is sorted.
“Super surprised” to see them use everything surrounding you to train their AI _and_ target you with ads.
Who in their right mind would ever use any of their products?
Who in their right mind would ever use any of their products?
User-preferred ‘options’ can be ignored, overridden, accidentally or deliberately broken, changed too late to affect content already uploaded and so on.
Facebook/Meta have repeatedly proven to be untrustworthy with user data.
Facebook/Meta have repeatedly proven to be untrustworthy with user data.
The problem with this product specifically is always going to be the "Meta" part of it.
I don't know how these are legal anywhere on Earth. Meta (remember they changed their name after the mushroom cloud public relations disaster because they really think we're that stupid) have proven time and time again that they're a data harvesting company with an insatiable appetite. The wearers of these glasses are simply Meta harvesters, of everything and everyone around them.
Data is highly valuable, and sadly end user privacy controls, the world over, are a joke. People, many of whom I suspect think, "Oh, data breaches and identity theft won't happen to me, that only happens to other idiots", are opening the door for Meta et al to harvest at will, with no regard for the consequences.
Whether you're in the queue at Walmart, Walgreens, Macy's, driving down the road and look at the car next to you as you change lanes, have an interview, go to the cinema, sit on a bus, plane, or ferry; people who don't want their face detected and/or any other data harvested, now has to assume they're being recorded, and has to inform the glasses wearer that they do not agree to it. Will the person who opts out then need the contact details of the glasses wearer so that they can sue the wearer if they don’t follow the wishes of the other person?
Data is highly valuable, and sadly end user privacy controls, the world over, are a joke. People, many of whom I suspect think, "Oh, data breaches and identity theft won't happen to me, that only happens to other idiots", are opening the door for Meta et al to harvest at will, with no regard for the consequences.
Whether you're in the queue at Walmart, Walgreens, Macy's, driving down the road and look at the car next to you as you change lanes, have an interview, go to the cinema, sit on a bus, plane, or ferry; people who don't want their face detected and/or any other data harvested, now has to assume they're being recorded, and has to inform the glasses wearer that they do not agree to it. Will the person who opts out then need the contact details of the glasses wearer so that they can sue the wearer if they don’t follow the wishes of the other person?
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The glasses don't discern what conversations / interactions do or do not meet an exception, they're just indiscriminately recording - that's going to lead to a ton of violations.Not in all situations:
California Audio and Video Recording Laws - Recording Law
Learn about California audio and video recording laws. When/Where you can make recordings and general information. Easy to digest with simple answers
The choice is simple. Don’t get Meta Raybans. It harvests your information and you look like a dork with cameras in your glasses. You may get requests to take them off when speaking with people because I would assume most people do not like to be secretly recorded or have their faces scanned without consent.
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