Connect with us

Latest News

Meta Revives Facial Recognition Technology to Combat ‘Celeb Bait’ Scams!

Published

on

Meta Revives Facial Recognition Technology to Combat ‘Celeb Bait’ Scams!,Startup Stories,Startup Stories India,Latest Technology News and Updates,2024 Technology News,Tech News,startup news,Meta facial recognition technology,celeb bait scams,combating online fraud,facial recognition for security,Meta technology updates,scam prevention strategies,celebrity impersonation scams,AI and facial recognition,Meta social media safety,protecting users from scams,Celeb Bait,Meta testing facial recognition technology,Meta Revives Facial Recognition Technology,Meta,Future Applications of Facial Recognition,Meta Future Applications of Facial Recognition,Meta,Facebook

Three years after discontinuing its facial recognition technology due to privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny, Meta (formerly Facebook) is reintroducing the software as part of a new effort to crack down on “celeb bait” scams. The social media giant announced on Tuesday that it will begin testing facial recognition technology again, enrolling around 50,000 public figures in a trial aimed at protecting them from fraudulent ads using their likeness.

Trial Overview

The trial will automatically compare celebrities’ Facebook profile pictures with images used in suspicious scam advertisements. If a match is found and Meta determines the ad is fraudulent, it will block the ad from appearing. Celebrities involved in the trial will be notified and given the option to opt out if they prefer not to participate.

Global Launch and Limitations

Set to launch globally in December, the trial will not be available in certain regions, including the European Union, Britain, South Korea, and U.S. states like Texas and Illinois, where Meta lacks the necessary regulatory approvals.

Intentions Behind the Revival

Monika Bickert, Meta’s vice president of content policy, explained the company’s intention behind the trial.

“The goal is to provide as much protection as possible for public figures. They can opt out if they choose, but we want to make this protection readily available and simple for them,” she said during a press briefing.

Meta’s decision to revive facial recognition comes as it tries to balance using technology to tackle the rising number of online scams while addressing privacy concerns. When Meta discontinued its facial recognition system in 2021, it cited growing societal concerns and deleted the face scan data of one billion users.

Legal Pressures

However, the company now faces legal pressure, including a $1.4 billion settlement with the state of Texas for allegedly collecting biometric data illegally, along with multiple lawsuits accusing it of failing to curb “celeb bait” scams.

Data Privacy Assurances

The trial promises to delete any facial recognition data generated during ad comparisons immediately, regardless of whether a scam is detected. Bickert assured that the tool underwent a “robust privacy and risk review process” both internally and externally, involving discussions with regulators, policymakers, and privacy experts before implementation.

Future Applications of Facial Recognition

In addition to targeting scam ads, Meta is also considering using facial recognition for account recovery. The company plans to test this feature for non-celebrity users on both Facebook and Instagram, allowing them to regain access to compromised or locked accounts through facial recognition verification.

Enhanced User Experience

This feature aims to streamline identity verification processes for users who may have lost access due to hacking or forgotten passwords. By leveraging facial recognition technology, Meta hopes to provide a more efficient recovery method compared to traditional verification techniques.

Conclusion

Meta’s revival of facial recognition technology reflects its evolving approach to balancing privacy concerns with the need for enhanced security and fraud prevention on its platforms. As the landscape of online scams continues to grow more sophisticated, this initiative aims not only to protect public figures but also to enhance user safety across its services.

Call for Vigilance

As Meta moves forward with this technology, it underscores the importance of vigilance among users regarding their digital identities and personal data. The ongoing developments in AI-driven technologies necessitate robust security measures and informed consent practices to ensure that user privacy remains a priority alongside innovation.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Binance注册

    April 19, 2025 at 6:45 am

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  2. Binance referral

    May 18, 2025 at 11:02 am

    I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

  3. binance

    June 30, 2025 at 6:33 pm

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Apple’s iOS 18.7 vs iOS 26: Which Update Should You Choose for Your iPhone in 2025?

Published

on

StartupStories iOS 26

Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.

In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.

Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Deep-Tech Startup EndureAir Raises INR 25 Crore from IAN Alpha Fund to Boost Drone Innovation

Published

on

StartupStories

EndureAir, a deep-tech drone startup specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aerial robotics solutions, has successfully raised INR 25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital infusion will enable EndureAir to enhance its advanced drone technologies for defense applications, broaden its reach in enterprise markets, and accelerate the development of next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics platforms.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir stands out in India’s indigenous UAV sector by developing both hardware and software in-house. Backed by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and holding eight patents in flight dynamics and autonomous systems, the company has rapidly established itself as a pioneer in the deep-tech drone ecosystem.

EndureAir’s flagship drone platforms, including the Sabal heavy-lift UAV family inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and the Vibhram drone supporting Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky program, are deployed in critical operations. The startup also collaborates with Bharat Electronics Limited for co-developing high-altitude drones and works with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments on remote logistics missions. With this funding, EndureAir aims to position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, advancing resilient domestic drone systems for defense and enterprise applications.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Venture Catalysts Raises Rs 150 Crore to Boost Multi-Stage VC Platform and AI Capabilities

Published

on

StartupStories

Venture Catalysts, a leading Mumbai-based venture capital platform, has secured Rs 150 crore (around $18 million) through a strategic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This fresh round of funding resulted in a company valuation of approximately $200 million and drew participation from high-profile investors such as Ashish Kacholia, the Shah Rukh Khan family office, Aishwarya Rai, as well as several established capital market veterans and renowned business houses. The move not only demonstrates strong investor confidence but also positions Venture Catalysts at the forefront of India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.

The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate key initiatives, including expanding Venture Catalysts’ leadership team, launching new investment funds, and exploring advanced technology solutions with an emphasis on AI-enabled due diligence and reporting tools. Additionally, the firm aims to strengthen its footprint across major Indian startup hubs and grow its suite of Category II alternative investment funds, harnessing this growth to support a new wave of promising startups and founders within the ecosystem.

Since its inception in 2016, Venture Catalysts has evolved from an angel network to a multi-fund powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets and deploying nearly $200 million across more than 400 startups, including industry leaders like BharatPe, Renee Cosmetics, and InsuranceDekho. This latest funding round reinforces Venture Catalysts’ pivotal role in nurturing and scaling some of India’s most innovative startups, catalyzing growth throughout the country’s thriving entrepreneurial sector.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement