Facebook device raises spy fears

FACEBOOK is developing a video chat device that can recognise users’ faces, according to a news report from Business Insider website.

The box is said to be similar to the Amazon Echo Show, and will feature a camera, touchscreen and speakers.

However, a person familiar with the project says consumers have told Facebook that they fear the device could be used to spy on them, reports Business Insider.

The device has been codenamed Project Aloha, and is set to be released by Facebook in May next year. However, it may hit the market under a new brand name.

According to Business Insider, the social networking company is afraid that widespread consumer mistrust of Facebook will cripple the device.

It conducted marketing studies for Project Aloha, and reportedly received ‘overwhelming concern’ that Project Aloha would help the company spy on users.

It was recently reported that Facebook has been using data gathered from another company for detailed insights on people’s app and website usage habits, such as which apps they use, how frequently they use them, and even how long they use them for.

People didn’t even need to have Facebook on their phones, the report said.

As well as creating a new brand name for Aloha, Facebook is also thinking up ‘creative ways’ to market it. For instance, as a device to help old people communicate with their families and friends.

It’s being developed by Facebook’s Building 8 division, which is also working on mind-reading technology that Facebook describes as a “brain-computer speechto-text interface”. – The Independent