Friend app: Difference between revisions
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{{ProductCargo | |||
|InProduction= | |InProduction=Yes | ||
|Logo=FriendAI.png | |||
|ReleaseYear=2025 | |||
|Category=AI chatbot, wearable | |||
|ArticleType=Service | |ArticleType=Service | ||
|Website= https://friend.com/?page=hardware | |||
|Description=“Friend” is a wearable AI pendant device that claims to provide conversational companionship, raising concerns about continuous recording and privacy liability. | |Description=“Friend” is a wearable AI pendant device that claims to provide conversational companionship, raising concerns about continuous recording and privacy liability. | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Friend''' is a wearable AI pendant device that claims to provide conversation & companionship. | |||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
Users of the Friend device may be subject to continuous or passive recording of video, audio, & biometric data. The company’s policies shift liability for recordings involving bystanders onto users. The device’s data retention, model training, & deletion practices raise questions under evolving biometric privacy laws such as Illinois’ BIPA & various state-federal frameworks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.friend.com/privacy.pdf |title=Friend – Privacy Policy v2 |website=Friend |date=2025-06-14 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.friend.com/privacy.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | Users of the Friend device may be subject to continuous or passive recording of video, audio, & biometric data. The company’s policies shift liability for recordings involving bystanders onto users. The device’s data retention, model training, & deletion practices raise questions under evolving biometric privacy laws such as Illinois’ BIPA & various state-federal frameworks.<ref name="FriendPPv2">{{cite web |url=https://www.friend.com/privacy.pdf |title=Friend – Privacy Policy v2 |website=Friend |date=2025-06-14 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.friend.com/privacy.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
==Capabilities & data practices== | ==Capabilities & data practices== | ||
Friend’s official privacy policy (v2) states that it serves as a “data controller” under GDPR & collects personal data from use of the services.<ref | Friend’s official privacy policy (v2) states that it serves as a “data controller” under GDPR & collects personal data from use of the services.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
Key practices include: | Key practices include: | ||
*Collection of name, phone, email, account credentials, uploaded content, & ambient video/audio from device surroundings.<ref | *Collection of name, phone, email, account credentials, uploaded content, & ambient video/audio from device surroundings.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
*Collection of biometric data including facial & voice recognition.<ref | *Collection of biometric data including facial & voice recognition.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
*Retention of data for over five years if “legal, regulatory, or technical reasons” prevent deletion.<ref | *Retention of data for over five years if “legal, regulatory, or technical reasons” prevent deletion.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
*Use of personal data to train machine learning models powering Friend.<ref | *Use of personal data to train machine learning models powering Friend.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
Media reporting highlights possible discrepancies: | Media reporting highlights possible discrepancies: | ||
*NBC Bay Area reported the company claims it “will not store any audio recordings.”<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/friend-com-launches-product-preview/3611528/ |title=Meet the AI startup that wants to give you a friend |website=NBC Bay Area |date=2025-02-01 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/friend-com-launches-product-preview/3611528/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | *NBC Bay Area reported the company claims it “will not store any audio recordings.”<ref name="NBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/friend-com-launches-product-preview/3611528/ |title=Meet the AI startup that wants to give you a friend |website=NBC Bay Area |date=2025-02-01 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/tech/friend-com-launches-product-preview/3611528/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
*Wired reported the pendant is always-on & continuously listening for conversation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/story/friend-ai-pendant/ |title=Wear This AI Friend Around Your Neck |website=Wired |date=2025-03-15 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.wired.com/story/friend-ai-pendant/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | *Wired reported the pendant is always-on & continuously listening for conversation.<ref name="Wired">{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/story/friend-ai-pendant/ |title=Wear This AI Friend Around Your Neck |website=Wired |date=2025-03-15 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.wired.com/story/friend-ai-pendant/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
==Legal & regulatory environment== | ==Legal & regulatory environment== | ||
The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) requires entities to obtain written consent before collecting biometric identifiers, provide retention schedules, & limit data storage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0994 |title=Biometric Information Privacy Act |website=Illinois General Assembly |date=2008 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0994 |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> The Illinois Supreme Court’s 2019 *Rosenbach* decision expanded standing for consumers to sue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust_law/resources/source/2025-june/biometric-privacy-litigation/ |title=The Who, Why, and Where of Biometric Privacy Litigation |website=American Bar Association |date=2025-06-01 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust_law/resources/source/2025-june/biometric-privacy-litigation/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) requires entities to obtain written consent before collecting biometric identifiers, provide retention schedules, & limit data storage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0994 |title=Biometric Information Privacy Act |website=Illinois General Assembly |date=2008 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0994 |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> The Illinois Supreme Court’s 2019 *Rosenbach* decision expanded standing for consumers to sue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust_law/resources/source/2025-june/biometric-privacy-litigation/ |title=The Who, Why, and Where of Biometric Privacy Litigation |website=American Bar Association |date=2025-06-01 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust_law/resources/source/2025-june/biometric-privacy-litigation/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
Analysts warn that devices like Friend raise risks under BIPA & similar laws, especially when data is used for AI training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lexisnexis.com/pdf/practical-guidance/ai/biometric-privacy-and-ai-legal-dev.pdf |title=Biometric Privacy and AI Legal Developments |website=LexisNexis |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.lexisnexis.com/pdf/practical-guidance/ai/biometric-privacy-and-ai-legal-dev.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> Federal & state regulators increasingly classify biometric identifiers as sensitive data requiring special protection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/ai-and-privacy-a-look-at-biometric-tech-and-data-reg-alert.html |title=AI and Privacy: A Look at Biometric Tech & Data |website=KPMG |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/ai-and-privacy-a-look-at-biometric-tech-and-data-reg-alert.html |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | Analysts warn that devices like Friend raise risks under BIPA & similar laws, especially when data is used for AI training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lexisnexis.com/pdf/practical-guidance/ai/biometric-privacy-and-ai-legal-dev.pdf |title=Biometric Privacy and AI Legal Developments |website=LexisNexis |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.lexisnexis.com/pdf/practical-guidance/ai/biometric-privacy-and-ai-legal-dev.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> Federal & state regulators increasingly classify biometric identifiers as sensitive data requiring special protection.<ref name="KPMG">{{cite web |url=https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/ai-and-privacy-a-look-at-biometric-tech-and-data-reg-alert.html |title=AI and Privacy: A Look at Biometric Tech & Data |website=KPMG |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2025/ai-and-privacy-a-look-at-biometric-tech-and-data-reg-alert.html |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
===Precedents & industry comparisons=== | ===Precedents & industry comparisons=== | ||
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==Company responses & disputes== | ==Company responses & disputes== | ||
The company asserts that: | The company asserts that: | ||
*Friend does not store audio recordings permanently.<ref | *Friend does not store audio recordings permanently.<ref name="NBC" /> | ||
*Data deletion requests can be submitted, though model training may make deletion incomplete.<ref | *Data deletion requests can be submitted, though model training may make deletion incomplete.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
Operational issues have been reported: the company delayed initial shipments announced for Q1 2025 until at least Q3 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/friend-delays-shipments-of-its-ai-companion-pendant/ |title=Friend delays shipments of its AI companion pendant |website=TechCrunch |date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/friend-delays-shipments-of-its-ai-companion-pendant/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | Operational issues have been reported: the company delayed initial shipments announced for Q1 2025 until at least Q3 2025.<ref name="TechCrunch">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/friend-delays-shipments-of-its-ai-companion-pendant/ |title=Friend delays shipments of its AI companion pendant |website=TechCrunch |date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/friend-delays-shipments-of-its-ai-companion-pendant/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
Consumer advocates & analysts have identified key risks for consumers: | Consumer advocates & analysts have identified key risks for consumers: | ||
*Constant ambient recording of private environments.<ref | *Constant ambient recording of private environments.<ref name="Wired" /> | ||
*Shifting liability to users for privacy violations of third parties.<ref | *Shifting liability to users for privacy violations of third parties.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
*Biometric sensitivity: face & voice identifiers are permanent.<ref | *Biometric sensitivity: face & voice identifiers are permanent.<ref name="KPMG" /> | ||
*Risk that deletion requests are ineffective once data is used to train AI models.<ref | *Risk that deletion requests are ineffective once data is used to train AI models.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
===Shipment delay (January 2025)=== | ===Shipment delay (January 2025)=== | ||
Friend announced initial shipments to | Friend announced initial shipments to pre-order customers in Q1 2025 but later delayed deliveries until Q3 2025.<ref name="TechCrunch" /> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||