Do you want Facebook to recognise your face?

Face recognition software is not just built into your Windows PC or Android systems, Facebook has now introduced a new app that not just allows your own device, but those of your friends and your friend’s friends to not only identify your face, but also tag you in their group pics.

The new Facebook app which it has called Moments has been introduced in the US (although users in Canada are reporting that they are able to download and use the app) but is yet to roll out elsewhere, including in the UAE.

Facebook made the announcement last week describing the new app as a "A Private Way to Share Photos With Friends".

According to Facebook, the app allows users to get access to multiple pics taken by friends on multiple phones at a gathering or otherwise.

“Moments groups the photos on your phone based on when they were taken and, using facial recognition technology, which friends are in them.

"You can then privately sync those photos quickly and easily with specific friends, and they can choose to sync their photos with you as well. Now, you and your friends have all the photos you took together,” the note by Facebook says. However, what it does not state is what you should be doing if you do not want your face to be recognised at all in the first place.

A feature to opt of the face recognition feature is still not enabled and it looks like Facebook may not roll out the new app, at least in parts of Europe until it enables the opt out option.

According to reports, Ireland has already raised the red flag and many other EU countries could follow suit as its regulations strictly requires user content for the feature to be rolled out.

Media reports quoting Richard Allan, Facebook’s head of policy in Europe, states that the company is working on an opt-in mechanism and the app will only be rolled out once the feature in enabled.

Meanwhile, users in the US have already been posting their reviews. While some have welcomed the new introduction, some have outright dismissed it as invasive and as a hastily rolled out app.

“This app fills a void in photo sharing apps. Thanks, Facebook!” is how one user reviewed it.

“Terrible Google Photos is better and classier. Photos educates people on their privacy and is a true breakaway service. This is just hastily assembled privacy invasion,” noted another user.

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