Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with Facebook-parent Meta over allegations that it improperly collected users’ facial and biometric data without their knowledge. The case stems from Meta’s use of facial recognition technology in its “tag” feature, which automatically turned on without explaining how it worked, violating state laws on biometric data and deceptive trade practices. As part of the settlement, Meta did not admit wrongdoing and agreed to pay the $1.4 billion over five years. Paxton, who has been a vocal critic of big tech companies, hailed the settlement as a victory for privacy rights and a warning to other tech giants. While Meta said it was pleased to resolve the matter and looks forward to expanding its presence in Texas, Paxton’s actions have raised his profile and potential political aspirations, including speculation about a role in a future Trump administration. The settlement marks the largest ever obtained by a single state against a business and underscores the growing scrutiny of tech companies’ data collection practices.
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