Friend app: Difference between revisions
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'''Friend''' is a wearable [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) pendant device that | '''Friend''' is a wearable [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) pendant device that aims to provide conversation and companionship. | ||
==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
Users of the Friend device may be subject to continuous | Users of the Friend device may be subject to continuous recording of video, audio, and biometric data. The company’s policies shift liability for recordings involving bystanders onto users. The device’s data retention, model training, and deletion practices raise questions under evolving biometric data 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> | ||
There is a one-time payment to get the device. | There is a one-time payment to get the device. It is unclear how the company will be able to provide ongoing service without a user subscription. | ||
==Capabilities & data practices== | ==Capabilities & data practices== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
==Legal & regulatory environment== | ==Legal & regulatory environment== | ||
The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) | 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 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> | 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=== | ||
The [[Clearview AI]] litigation demonstrates how courts treat unauthorized biometric collection. In 2025, Clearview agreed to a US$51.75 million settlement resolving claims under BIPA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.regulatoryoversight.com/2025/04/51-75m-settlement-in-clearview-ai-biometric-privacy-litigation-illustrates-creative-resolution-for-startups-facing-parallel-litigation-and-enforcement-action/ |title=$51.75M Settlement in Clearview AI Biometric Privacy Litigation |website=Regulatory Oversight |date=2025-04-12 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.regulatoryoversight.com/2025/04/51-75m-settlement-in-clearview-ai-biometric-privacy-litigation-illustrates-creative-resolution-for-startups-facing-parallel-litigation-and-enforcement-action/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | The [[Clearview AI]] litigation demonstrates how courts treat unauthorized biometric data collection. In 2025, Clearview agreed to a US$51.75 million settlement resolving claims under BIPA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.regulatoryoversight.com/2025/04/51-75m-settlement-in-clearview-ai-biometric-privacy-litigation-illustrates-creative-resolution-for-startups-facing-parallel-litigation-and-enforcement-action/ |title=$51.75M Settlement in Clearview AI Biometric Privacy Litigation |website=Regulatory Oversight |date=2025-04-12 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.regulatoryoversight.com/2025/04/51-75m-settlement-in-clearview-ai-biometric-privacy-litigation-illustrates-creative-resolution-for-startups-facing-parallel-litigation-and-enforcement-action/ |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
Competitor devices, such as the Limitless pendant, advertise a more limited data policy, not permitting ambient biometric capture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.limitless.ai/privacy |title=Privacy – Limitless |website=Limitless.ai |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.limitless.ai/privacy |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | Competitor devices, such as the Limitless pendant, advertise a more limited data policy, not permitting ambient biometric capture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.limitless.ai/privacy |title=Privacy – Limitless |website=Limitless.ai |date=2025 |access-date=2025-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001000000/https://www.limitless.ai/privacy |archive-date=2025-10-01}}</ref> | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
*Data deletion requests can be submitted, though model training may make deletion incomplete.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | *Data deletion requests can be submitted, though model training may make deletion incomplete.<ref name="FriendPPv2" /> | ||
Operational issues have been reported | 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: | ||
Revision as of 02:33, 16 February 2026
Friend app
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Product Type | AI chatbot, wearable |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://friend.com/?page=hardware |
Friend is a wearable artificial intelligence (AI) pendant device that aims to provide conversation and companionship.
Consumer-impact summary
Users of the Friend device may be subject to continuous recording of video, audio, and biometric data. The company’s policies shift liability for recordings involving bystanders onto users. The device’s data retention, model training, and deletion practices raise questions under evolving biometric data privacy laws such as Illinois’ BIPA & various state-federal frameworks.[1]
There is a one-time payment to get the device. It is unclear how the company will be able to provide ongoing service without a user subscription.
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.[1]
Key practices include:
- Collection of name, phone, email, account credentials, uploaded content, & ambient video/audio from device surroundings.[1]
- Collection of biometric data including facial & voice recognition.[1]
- Retention of data for over five years if “legal, regulatory, or technical reasons” prevent deletion.[1]
- Use of personal data to train machine learning models powering Friend.[1]
Media reporting highlights possible discrepancies:
- NBC Bay Area reported the company claims it “will not store any audio recordings.”[2]
- Wired reported the pendant is always-on & continuously listening for conversation.[3]
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.[4] The Illinois Supreme Court’s 2019 Rosenbach decision expanded standing for consumers to sue.[5]
Analysts warn that devices like Friend raise risks under BIPA & similar laws, especially when data is used for AI training.[6] Federal & state regulators increasingly classify biometric identifiers as sensitive data requiring special protection.[7]
Precedents & industry comparisons
The Clearview AI litigation demonstrates how courts treat unauthorized biometric data collection. In 2025, Clearview agreed to a US$51.75 million settlement resolving claims under BIPA.[8]
Competitor devices, such as the Limitless pendant, advertise a more limited data policy, not permitting ambient biometric capture.[9]
Company responses & disputes
The company asserts that:
- Friend does not store audio recordings permanently.[2]
- Data deletion requests can be submitted, though model training may make deletion incomplete.[1]
Operational issues have been reported; the company delayed initial shipments announced for Q1 2025 until at least Q3 2025.[10]
Consumer response
Consumer advocates & analysts have identified key risks for consumers:
- Constant ambient recording of private environments.[3]
- Shifting liability to users for privacy violations of third parties.[1]
- Biometric sensitivity: face & voice identifiers are permanent.[7]
- Risk that deletion requests are ineffective once data is used to train AI models.[1]
Shipment delay (January 2025)
Friend announced initial shipments to pre-order customers in Q1 2025 but later delayed deliveries until Q3 2025.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Friend – Privacy Policy v2" (PDF). Friend. 2025-06-14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Meet the AI startup that wants to give you a friend". NBC Bay Area. 2025-02-01. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Wear This AI Friend Around Your Neck". Wired. 2025-03-15. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ "Biometric Information Privacy Act". Illinois General Assembly. 2008. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ "The Who, Why, and Where of Biometric Privacy Litigation". American Bar Association. 2025-06-01. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ "Biometric Privacy and AI Legal Developments" (PDF). LexisNexis. 2025. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "AI and Privacy: A Look at Biometric Tech & Data". KPMG. 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ "$51.75M Settlement in Clearview AI Biometric Privacy Litigation". Regulatory Oversight. 2025-04-12. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ "Privacy – Limitless". Limitless.ai. 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Friend delays shipments of its AI companion pendant". TechCrunch. 2025-01-20. Archived from the original on 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2025-10-01.