Security and Privacy Roundup: Meta Tests Face Recognition, ShinyHunters Breach Madison Square Garden

A weekly roundup of security and privacy developments reveals multiple concerning trends in surveillance technology and data breaches. Meta is testing face-recognition software built by Rank One, a company that supplies the US military and regional police departments, as it explores adding face-recognition capabilities to its smart glasses. Previously reported code in the glasses app that would enable such features has since been deleted. Meanwhile, the hacking and extortion group ShinyHunters has published data allegedly stolen from Madison Square Garden, comprising millions of records across 45 gigabytes of files, including customer personal information and references to Knicks players and coaches. The breach was announced shortly after the Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, and a federal class-action lawsuit has been filed in response.

Face-recognition technology is proliferating in both corporate and governmental contexts, often with troubling implications. At least three bars in San Francisco's Castro District are using facial scanners from Patronscan at their entrances to collect detailed information on customers, including facial images, names, and genders. This data can be shared across a "safety network" between other firms using the technology, creating a widespread surveillance system. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom plans to begin scanning the faces of asylum-seekers as part of age checks, despite evidence that such evaluation tools are deeply flawed and can produce life-altering errors.

Artificial intelligence safety concerns have also emerged this week. Anthropic is negotiating with the Trump administration after White House concerns about the safety of the new public model Claude Fable 5 prompted the company to pull the product from the market entirely. Security experts warn that AI models with advanced capabilities for discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities—essentially creating hacking tools—will soon become ubiquitous worldwide.

Other notable privacy developments include the exposure of identities of more than 200 members of Peter Thiel's secretive 'Dialog' society following a leak revealing retreat attendees and topics including panels on building a cult, sex, and prepping for World War III. WIRED also reported that the society employs a secretive ranking system for its members. In a lighter note, Knicks fans worldwide were able to watch a ticker tape parade in New York City through livestreams of traffic surveillance camera feeds provided by artist Morry Kolman.