Texas sues Facebook parent Meta over biometric data 'violations'

[BeatMan]

The Attorney General of Texas filed a lawsuit against Facebook parent company Meta for allegedly violating state laws in how the social media giant collects and handles biometric data.

In a statement posted on Twitter Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that the biometric data of millions of Texans had been captured without "properly obtaining their informed consent to do so, in violation of Texas law."

"Facebook will no longer take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one's safety and well-being,” Paxton said. "This is yet another example of Big Tech's deceitful business practices and it must stop. I will continue to fight for Texans' privacy and security.”

https://www.dw.com/en/us-texas-sues-facebook-parent-meta-over-biometric-data-violations/a-60777416

 

[pecksniff]

What means "biometric data" here? I would have thought that was something requiring DNA samples. Is it broad enough a concept to encompass date of birth, educational level, etc.?

 

[butters]

What means "biometric data" here? I would have thought that was something requiring DNA samples. Is it broad enough a concept to encompass date of birth, educational level, etc.?

when i was coming to live here, my biometrics stuff involved pictures and measurements taken of identifiers such as distance between eyes, distance between nose and lips, that sort of thing, as well as height/weight info and fingerprints

the biometrics being spoken about here appear to be with facial-recognition software(?)

The social media giant said on Tuesday that it will shut down its facial recognition system and delete the faceprints of over 1 billion users.

The system that automatically identifies people in photos and videos for tagging has been a major concern for those worried about the abuse of technology by major companies.

if they can identify your face, they can identify your account, your details, etc..., etc..., etc..., and if they are hacked, or sell (legally or illegally) the 'faceprints', then those users are vulnerable to people having their information above and beyond other risks online.

https://www.dw.com/en/facebook-to-end-its-facial-recognition-system/a-59699756