Facebook: Users to control facial recognition

The company announced that the facial recognition feature is now available for all its users. Still, the social media giant mentioned it would keep its capabilities turned off by default. Facebook previously called the feature “tag suggestions.” The platform used face recognition technology in order to automatically suggest tags of friends that appear in photos.

Facial recognition – an option

According to Facebook, from now on, users will have the face recognition feature available. Everyone will have this feature. No matter if they recently joined the platform or are existing users who had the tag suggestions setting on.

Also, the company will inform users about the way this works. Still, the platform will not use facial recognition option by default. So, it will not automatically recognize users in photos or videos or to suggest friends tag them.

Facebook started with it in 2017

At the end of 2017, Facebook offered some users the new setting. This allowed them to decide whether they wanted the facial recognition option in their experience or not. But now, the option is available to all the platform’s users. Those who do not already have this feature will receive a notice in the news feed about the change. Moreover, they will also have the option to keep it off or turn it on.

Facebook’s decision to change the settings comes after the company had to face legal scrutiny for the use of this technology. A few weeks ago, the social media giant attempted to undo a lawsuit against the use of facial recognition technology. It happened after it was accused that it gathered users’ biometric data. But its attempt was rejected by a court in San Francisco.

So, now, Facebook has to take some steps in order to obey the rules all over the world. This might bring some important changes in the platform.