San Francisco, CA – In a landmark settlement, Meta has agreed to pay a record $1.4 billion to resolve a class-action lawsuit filed in Texas alleging the company violated state privacy laws through its use of facial recognition technology.

The suit, filed in 2020, accused Meta of collecting and storing facial scans of millions of users without their explicit consent. This, the plaintiffs argued, violated the Texas Biometric Privacy Act (TBPA), which requires companies to obtain informed consent before collecting biometric data.

The settlement marks the largest sum ever paid in a facial recognition lawsuit and represents a significant victory for privacy advocates who have been pushing for stricter regulations on the use of such technology.

“This settlement sends a powerful message that companies cannot profit from collecting and using people’s biometric data without their consent,” said [Name of lead attorney or privacy advocate], a lawyer representing the plaintiffs. “It sets a precedent for holding tech giants accountable for their privacy practices.”

The settlement, which still needs court approval, covers a potential class of over 80 million Facebook users in Texas. It includes a $650 million payment to the class members and a $750 million contribution to fund a variety of initiatives promoting privacy and digital security.

Meta has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of a lengthy legal battle. In a statement, the company said it is “committed to protecting people’s privacy and ensuring that our use of facial recognition technology is responsible and ethical.”

This settlement comes at a time when concerns over facial recognition technology are growing. Critics argue that the technology is prone to bias and can be misused for surveillance and discrimination. The settlement could have a significant impact on how tech companies approach data collection and privacy in the future.

Key takeaways from the settlement:

 Record-breaking settlement: The $1.4 billion settlement is the largest ever paid in a facial recognition lawsuit.

 Victory for privacy advocates: The settlement strengthens the case for regulating the use of facial recognition technology.

 Impact on future practices: The settlement could encourage tech companies to adopt more ethical and responsible data collection practices.

 Emphasis on consent: The settlement highlights the importance of obtaining informed consent before collecting biometric data.

This case is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry and could spark further debate about the ethical and legal implications of facial recognition technology.