Texas AG, Meta Settle Data Privacy Lawsuit for $1.4 billion

Data Strategy, Security and Privacy attorney Bart Huffman was featured in a CBS Austin article discussing the $1.4 billion settlement between Meta Platforms and the Texas Attorney General's Office. This agreement stems from a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2022, accusing Meta of gathering biometric data via facial recognition technology in violation of Texas law. The settlement is largest ever both in Texas history and for a single state. Mr. Huffman commented on the significance of the law, known as the Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act, and the limitations it imposes on the use of biometric data.

"The biometrics in question are the sort of facial geometry right around an image, the measurement of somebody's face. And you can't collect that without express consent. You can't disclose it, you're not supposed to keep it longer than reasonably necessary," he said.

READ: Texas AG, Meta Settle Data Privacy Lawsuit for $1.4 billion