Instagram offers users various face filters to make their pictures more interesting. Many of these filters use face recognition technology. On May 11, 2022, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, decided to remove all filters from Instagram in Texas that use face recognition technology.
You will learn in this article why Texas banned certain filters on Instagram and whether you can get them back.
Why Texas & Illinois Banned Instagram Filters?
Texas and Illinois have banned Instagram filters that record the facial geometry of users. These filters are banned because they violate the laws of Texas and Illinois. According to the Texas Capture or Use Biometric Identifier Act, nobody can collect or store biometric information of Texas people without their consent.
Certain filters on Instagram violate the Texas Capture or Use Biometric Identifier Act. Illinois also has a similar law against collecting and storing biometric information without consent. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Meta on February 14, 2022, for collecting and storing biometric data of Texas people without their consent.
Certain Instagram filters need to record and store users’ facial geometry to function. It is worth noting that not all filters on Instagram need to do that. Some filters only change the coloring or background of a picture and do not need to record facial geometry for that. These filters are still available in Texas and Illinois.
Can You Get the Instagram Filters Back?
Many Instagram users in Texas and Illinois have said that they are okay with Instagram recording and storing their facial geometry. However, Instagram has decided to remove its face filters that record facial geometry for now.
Meta has said that they will soon give Texas and Illinois users an option to choose facial recognition technology and use filters that record facial geometry.
