Meta news covering Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, Reality Labs, metaverse developments, and Meta's social media platforms.
Meta Platforms Inc. is in early-stage talks with Anthropic to lease data centers in a deal potentially worth up to $10 billion over two years. Anthropic already has similar compute licensing deals with Google, SpaceX, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth detailed the NameTag facial recognition feature for Meta AI Glasses in an interview, contradicting earlier denials by Meta executives. The feature encrypts data locally and only works for people the wearer has met in person.
Meta has patented AI technology that constantly analyzes a user's voice and surroundings to detect emotional state. The system records audible communications and combines them with contextual factors like time and location. Meta pitches it as a fitness device to tailor workouts.
A U.S. judge rejected a request by 26 Meta employees to halt their layoffs while they pursue claims that Meta used AI tools to target workers with disabilities or those on medical leave. The judge cited lack of 'irreparable harm'; layoffs begin July 22. Claims will proceed in private arbitration.
Meta is launching a feature that notifies parents via Instagram's supervision tools if their teenager discusses suicide or self-harm with Meta AI. The system flags sensitive conversations for manual review before sending alerts, now live in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Meta is also developing tools to alert first responders if AI conversations indicate imminent risk of suicide.
Meta is hiring longtime Amazon Web Services executive Dave Brown to lead its AI infrastructure expansion. Brown, a senior VP at AWS, will leave Amazon at the end of July after nearly 19 years. Meta expects capital expenditures of $125 billion to $145 billion in 2026, much of it on AI data centers.
WhatsApp is activating reserved usernames for a limited number of iPhone users, with a banner appearing in chat lists to indicate the username is active. The feature is rolling out to both beta and official versions but only to a very limited number of accounts.
Sodexo won a food services contract with Meta covering over 130 locations in more than 30 countries. The rollout will occur gradually over the coming months. Financial details were not disclosed.
This commentary argues that Meta's pause on stock buybacks signals a strategic shift toward prioritizing AI infrastructure over shareholder returns. It examines Meta's history of repurchases and suggests investors should consider whether this capital allocation change will affect future earnings per share and stock performance.