Fact check: No, Snapchat filters are not a facial recognition database – USA Today

The claim: Snapchat filters are a facial recognition database created by the FBIThe use of facial recognition technology has become commonplace, with many people using it on a daily basis to unlock their phones or sort their photos.A recent Facebook post, though, claims a popular photo messaging app uses the technology to collect data for federal law enforcement. “Snapchat filters are a facial recognition database created by the FBI,” reads text included in the Oct. 3 post, which has been shared over 100 times in two days. “You don’t believe me? Google: Patent US9396354.”But the claim is false.Snapchat’s augmented reality filters, known as lenses, allow users to digitally alter their appearance in selfies by adding, among other things, dog ears, sunglasses and mustaches. The app does not collect any data that can be used to identify a specific person, a spokesperson for Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.The limited data used to power lenses isn’t sent to the company’s servers and never leaves the user’s mobile device, the spokesperson said.USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment.Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunksSnapchat can’t identify features…
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