Meta Agrees to ₹14 Billion Settlement Over Illegally Used Biometric Data

Tuesday, 30 July 2024, 17:44

Meta has agreed to a substantial settlement of ₹11,700 crore (approximately $14 billion) to resolve a lawsuit filed by Texas regarding its facial recognition practices. The lawsuit accused Meta of unlawfully using users' biometric data for over a decade through a now-discontinued feature known as tag suggestions. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton highlighted that the state’s actions mark a significant victory in the fight for user privacy and accountability in the tech industry. This settlement underscores the growing scrutiny over privacy practices at major tech companies.
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Meta Agrees to ₹14 Billion Settlement Over Illegally Used Biometric Data

Meta's Settlement Overview

Meta has reached a landmark agreement to settle a lawsuit with Texas for ₹11,700 crore, which amounts to about 14 billion dollars. This legal action arose from allegations that Meta had been utilizing users' biometric data illegally for over ten years.

Details of the Lawsuit

  • The lawsuit claimed that Meta implemented facial recognition software on virtually all photographs uploaded to Facebook.
  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated this was a critical issue concerning user privacy.
  • The disputed feature, known as tag suggestions, has since been discontinued.

Implications of the Settlement

  1. This settlement is the largest payment made by a U.S. state in similar lawsuits.
  2. It emphasizes the increasing focus on user privacy and the ethical use of biometric data by tech companies.
  3. The outcome may set a precedent for future legal actions against tech giants.

In conclusion, this significant settlement not only marks a victory for Texas in holding Meta accountable but also highlights the pressing issues of privacy rights in the digital age.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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