Facebook may launch chat device with face recognition ability

Social networking giant Facebook is reportedly working towards rolling out a video chat device that can recognise users’ faces. 

But the device has also raised fears among consumers that it could be used by the social network to spy on them, thereby casting doubt on whether the device would have all the features as intended when it is finally launched. 

Codenamed Project Aloha, the device is set to be released by Facebook in May 2018. 

However, it may hit the market under a new brand name. The device is likely to be marketed as a tool to help old people communicate with their families and friends. 

Facebook’s goal is to keep people connected to and engaging with the platform. With engagement comes data that can be used for ad targeting. 

Facebook already collects all kinds of data about users both on Facebook’s own platforms including Instagram and Messenger, as well as around the web with its Like and Share buttons on millions of sites Facebook is testing a feature that would allow the camera to automatically scan for people in its range and lock onto them, one of the people said. 

For example, the camera could zoom onto a painting that a child brought home from school to show to a parent away on a business trip.