The Trader Harbor
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks

The Trader Harbor

Business

Texas AG wins $1.4B settlement from Facebook-parent Meta over facial-capture charges

by admin July 31, 2024
July 31, 2024
Texas AG wins $1.4B settlement from Facebook-parent Meta over facial-capture charges

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won a $1.4 billion settlement from Facebook parent Meta over charges that it captured users’ facial and biometric data without properly informing them it was doing so.

Paxton said that starting in 2011, Meta, then known as Facebook, rolled out a “tag” feature that involved software that learned how to recognize and sort faces in photos.

In doing so, it automatically turned on the feature without explaining how it worked, Paxton said — something that violated a 2009 state statute governing the use of biometric data, as well as running afoul of the state’s deceptive trade practices act.

‘Unbeknownst to most Texans, for more than a decade Meta ran facial recognition software on virtually every face contained in the photographs uploaded to Facebook, capturing records of the facial geometry of the people depicted,’ he said in a statement.

As part of the settlement, Meta did not admit to wrongdoing. Facebook discontinued how it had previously used face-recognition technology in 2021, in the process deleting the face-scan data of more than one billion users. 

The settlement amount, which Paxton said is the largest ever obtained by a single state against a business, will be paid out over five years.

“This historic settlement demonstrates our commitment to standing up to the world’s biggest technology companies and holding them accountable for breaking the law and violating Texans’ privacy rights,’ Paxton said. ‘Any abuse of Texans’ sensitive data will be met with the full force of the law.”

A Meta spokesperson said in a statement that the company was ‘pleased to resolve this matter’ and that it looks forward to ‘exploring future opportunities to deepen our business investments in Texas, including potentially developing data centers.”

Paxton, an outspoken conservative who was nearly forced out as attorney general last year after he was impeached by the state’s House on abuse-of-power charges, has long railed against large tech companies while closely aligning himself with right-leaning figures in Silicon Valley like Elon Musk.

As a result, he has been floated as a potential U.S. attorney general in a second Trump administration, even as he still faces a federal investigation.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
‘Make Bitcoin Great Again’: Trump and GOP’s presence looms over annual crypto gathering
next post
Budget airline Spirit is trying to go upmarket — and blocking middle seats

Related Posts

Boeing would avoid guilty plea, prosecution over 737...

May 17, 2025

Going camping off the grid is getting harder....

June 17, 2024

McDonald’s to close three CosMc’s locations — and...

January 12, 2025

It’s Elon Musk’s turn for a ‘fork in...

April 24, 2025

Goldman Sachs rolls out an AI assistant for...

January 23, 2025

Dow tumbles 475 points, S&P 500 suffers worst...

April 18, 2024

How Trump could spare Biden’s renewable energy credits...

December 20, 2024

Amazon’s Nova AI agent launch puts it up...

April 1, 2025

Walmart is getting a bump from a surprising...

February 21, 2025

Wayfair to open its first large store, as...

May 18, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • The Real Drivers of This Market: AI, Semis & Robotics

      July 21, 2025
    • What Musk’s fracture with Trump means for GOP’s future: ‘Beating heart of the Republican Party’

      July 21, 2025
    • Trump’s housing chief rips Powell for blowing millions on Fed facelift during housing crisis he perpetuates

      July 21, 2025
    • Trump celebrates 6 months back in office: US ‘totally revived’ after being ‘DEAD’ under Biden

      July 21, 2025
    • Biden admin spent hefty sum of US tax dollars to upgrade embassy swimming pools in Iraq, Russia

      July 21, 2025
    • Trump heads to Scotland, continues ironing out trade deals after notching six months back in office

      July 21, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,299)
    • Politics (4,040)
    • Stocks (1,535)
    • Uncategorized (45)
    • World News (1,292)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: TheTraderHarbor, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 thetraderharbor.com | All Rights Reserved