Meta has quietly developed facial recognition technology for its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses despite previous assurances that it would not incorporate said functions due to surveillance and privacy concerns. Critics argue that this could enable intrusive tracking, while Meta has yet to provide a clear public explanation for the shift. The move aligns with Meta’s broader investments in augmented reality (AR) and wearable tech.

On-Device Face Recognition

The feature, referred to as “on-device face recognition,” would allow wearers to identify people by simply looking at them through the glasses. Unlike cloud-based facial recognition systems, the facial recognition would occur on the glasses themselves, meaning the data wouldn’t necessarily be sent to Meta’s servers. Even so, privacy advocates warn that the tech could enable real-time, covert surveillance, raising concerns about stalking, harassment, or misuse by law enforcement. Unlike stationary cameras, smart glasses could allow unprecedented tracking in public spaces, leading to calls for stricter regulation.

Meta’s Blotchy History

Back in 2021, Meta shut down its decade-old facial recognition system on Facebook after public backlash and a $650 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over improper biometric data collection. Meta’s blotchy history raises questions about Meta’s transparency regarding privacy and surveillance issues.

• Meta has faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory actions over its handling of user data, including a $5 billion fine from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019.
• Meta has also been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding its data collection practices and its use of facial recognition technology.

Telegram Shuts Down Internet’s Largest Black Market

Telegram has dismantled the largest black market in internet history, dealing a major blow to the underground sale of illegal goods and services. The platform, which has long been scrutinized for its encrypted channels and lax content moderation, removed the sprawling marketplace that facilitated transactions involving crypto scams, drugs, stolen data, counterfeit documents, and cybercrime tools.

Digital Resurrection

In a groundbreaking legal proceeding, an artificial intelligence-generated avatar of a deceased man delivered testimony in court—marking one of the first known uses of posthumous digital recreation in a judicial setting. The case involved a contract dispute where the deceased’s account was crucial, and his AI replica, trained on his voice, mannerisms, and personal records, answered questions based on prior statements.

Ethical Concerns

While proponents argue that this type of technology preserves critical evidence that would otherwise be lost, critics argue that the existence of ethical concerns on consent, accuracy, and potential manipulation. Legal experts debate whether such testimony should be admissible, as it blurs the line between sworn statements and algorithmic reconstruction.

France Proposes Dystopian Cash Ban

French Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti sparked controversy by calling for the complete abolition of cash transactions. The Minister argues that this would help combat organized crime, tax evasion, and terrorism financing, which he says heavily rely on cash transactions. He conceded that organized crime may turn to cryptocurrencies as an alternative, but reasoned that digital payments – including cryptocurrencies – are much easier to trace.

Economic Impact

Under new European Council rules taking effect in 2026, crypto platforms will be required to identify and report all transaction parties to tax authorities, effectively eliminating anonymous crypto transfers across EU member states. Still, economists warn that this would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations like the elderly, undocumented, or working-class employees who get paid and rely on cash. The proposal faces significant opposition from the public, especially civil liberties groups who view it as a dangerous leap into financial surveillance.

Meta Faces Lawsuit Over AI Training

Meta faces potential legal challenges in the EU over its plans to train artificial intelligence models using publicly shared content from Facebook and Instagram users. The company argues that since the data is already publicly available, it falls under “legitimate interest” for AI development and does not require explicit user consent. However, this approach conflicts with the EU’s own privacy regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandate explicit opt-in consent for processing personal data, even if it’s publicly posted.

Privacy Advocacy Groups

Privacy advocacy groups, such as NOYB (None of Your Business) led by activist Max Schrems, have already threatened legal action if Meta proceeds without proper consent. Critics argue that Meta’s current opt-out mechanism does not comply with GDPR’s requirement for affirmative user permission. The European Data Protection Board (EPDB) could also intervene, potentially imposing fines or blocking the practice altogether.

Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement

Apple’s reached a massive $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging its Siri virtual assistant illegally recorded and shared users’ private conversations without consent. The settlement, recently approved by a California federal judge, stems from claims that between 2011 and 2023, Siri routinely activated and recorded confidential discussions, including medical information, business dealings, and intimate personal moments.

Privacy Advocacy

The lawsuit proved particularly damaging for Apple as internal documents revealed the company was well aware of Siri’s problematic “false triggers” that caused unintended recordings, yet failed to properly disclose this data collection in its privacy policies. While Apple admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement, the payout represents one of the largest privacy-related settlements in tech history. Eligible class members include U.S. residents who owned Apple devices with Siri capabilities during the affected period, with individual payouts estimated between $50-$150 depending on claim volume.

Music Legend Elton John Blasts UK Over AI Copyright Law Changes

Sir Elton John launched a scathing attack on the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law that would favor artificial intelligence companies, calling policymakers “absolute losers” for undermining creators’ rights. The proposed amendments would allow AI developers to freely use copyrighted music, literature, and other artistic works, for training their systems without compensating or requiring permission from rights holders.

Impact on Creators

The UK’s desire is to position itself as a global AI hub, with officials arguing that looser copyright restrictions attract tech investment. But John and other artists contend that this approach sacrifices creators’ livelihoods at the altar of technological progress, emphasizing how AI systems already replicate musical styles and voices without consent, and warning that the proposed laws would exacerbate these abuses by removing legal protections.

Microsoft Admits to Providing AI Services to Israeli Military

Microsoft has now publicly acknowledged it provided advanced artificial intelligence services to the Israeli military during its ongoing war in Gaza. The tech giant revealed details of its AI contracts through official filings, confirming it supplied cloud computing infrastructure and AI-powered data analysis tools to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Ethical Concerns

The revelation has sparked protests from employee groups and activist organizations who accuse Microsoft of enabling military operations that have resulted in significant Palestinian civilian deaths. Broader ethical dilemmas are increasing in the tech industry as military forces worldwide rapidly adopt AI capabilities, often with limited transparency or public oversight.

Conclusion

This edition of Your Worldwide INTERNET REPORT has highlighted the complexities and challenges surrounding the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies. From facial recognition in smart glasses to AI-generated avatars, digital resurrection, and financial surveillance, these issues underscore the need for greater transparency, accountability, and regulation in the tech industry. As the world grapples with the implications of AI, it is essential to prioritize the values of fairness, justice, and human rights.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to monitor and report on the latest developments.

Stay informed, and stay vigilant.

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