facial scans Archives

Winsage

October 14, 2025

Microsoft previews People grouping in OneDrive photos

Microsoft is introducing an AI-driven feature in OneDrive that allows users to group photos based on recognized faces. Currently in a mobile preview for select users, the feature requires manual identification of faces and has limitations on user control, allowing toggling of the People section only three times a year. Microsoft has not clarified the reasoning behind this limitation. The company acknowledges that certain regions require user consent for photo processing, which may lead to regulatory scrutiny. If users disable the facial grouping feature, associated data will be erased within 30 days. Microsoft claims it does not use facial scans or biometric data for AI training, but concerns about privacy remain.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

New Android SONU App Turn Selfies into Drug-Free Sinus Relief

SoundHealth has launched a medical-grade Android app that converts selfies into CT-accurate skeletal data for precise treatments of rhinitis, nasal congestion, and allergies when used with the SONU Band. The SONU Band is the first FDA De Novo authorized AI-enabled wearable medical device that uses sound-based therapy to alleviate moderate to severe nasal congestion and allergy symptoms without medications. The app scans the user's face to create a digital map of their sinuses and calculates optimal resonant frequencies for treatment. The SONU Band uses acoustic vibrational energy to open airways and relieve congestion, with relief reported in just 15 minutes. It is FDA-approved as a safe alternative to nasal steroid sprays, with over 80 percent of users reporting symptom improvement. The device has also received FDA approval for use in children over 12 years old.

Winsage

October 16, 2024

Microsoft Projects Wave of Passkey Signups as Password Attacks Double | PYMNTS.com

Sangeeta Ranjit from Microsoft reported a significant increase in password attacks, with incidents rising to over 7,000 per second and a 58% rise in phishing attempts. She projected that by 2027, the global cost of cybercrime could reach one trillion dollars. Ranjit proposed the adoption of passkeys as a biometric alternative to passwords and indicated that Microsoft plans to phase out password creation for new accounts. Research shows users are frustrated with passwords, and major companies like Mastercard and Visa are adopting passkeys. Visa's Mark Nelsen noted that passkeys could enhance transaction security through immediate facial scans. Adam Lowe from CompoSecure/Arculus highlighted the security advantages of hardware-bound passkeys over cloud-stored ones, especially in banking applications.

AppWizard

September 20, 2024

Facebook Messenger, Messenger Kids Class Action to Move Forward

Meta Platforms Inc. is facing a federal court ruling allowing a class action lawsuit to proceed, which alleges that the Facebook Messenger and Messenger Kids applications improperly collected and retained biometric identifiers, violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel determined that the plaintiffs have sufficiently articulated their claims regarding the scanning of users’ facial geometries. Despite Meta's arguments that the facial scans do not fall under BIPA, the court found the allegations warranted further examination.