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Some Instagram users are upset after finding out they can’t use Instagram filters anymore.
Due to state face recognition laws, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has disabled the usage of certain filters in Texas and Illinois.
According to CBS’ West Texas affiliate, the decision comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a lawsuit against Meta in February, alleging that the firm was not properly employing its facial recognition technology.
According to the lawsuit, the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act requires companies to obtain consumers’ agreement before retaining their biometric data, which was not happening across the board.
“They learn a user’s face and can automatically tag or associate a person with an image, typically without the consent of the user being tagged,” according to CBS’ West Texas affiliate.
As a result, any filter that uses “facial geometry,” such as “augmented reality” filters, is incompatible with state lines.
Instagram users took to social media to share their frustration.
“they really banned instagram filters in texas, how crazy is that🙃,” one person tweeted.
Another tweeted, “Texas taking away instagram filters is beyond rancid….why can’t I look like a cute alien bug???”
However, Instagram users aren’t the only ones that made a statement about this incident.
Meta released a statement.
“The technology we employ to power augmented reality effects like avatars and filters is not face recognition or any other technology covered by the Texas and Illinois laws, and is not used to identify anyone,” Meta explained in a statement explaining why some filters were disabled.
The company continued.
“Nevertheless, we are taking this step to prevent meritless and distracting litigation under laws in these two states based on a mischaracterization of how our features work.”
Would you be upset if this ban took place in your state?
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