Facebook is almost fully abandoning facial recognition, but its parent company Meta isn't. On November 2, the world's largest social media network said it's going to stop using facial recognition technology (FRT) systems on its platform and delete facial recognition templates for billions of people. However, Meta spokesperson Jason Grosse told Recode that the move doesn't apply to its upcoming metaverse products. The social media firm rebranded to Meta on October 29 when chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company is shifting its focus to building a future metaverse. "The next platform will be even more immersive -- an embodied internet where you're in the experience, not just looking at it. We call this the metaverse, and it will touch every product we build," Zuckerberg said in a letter following the Facebook Connect event.

When even the makers of face recognition refuse to sell this surveillance technology because it is so dangerous, lawmakers can no longer deny the threats to our rights and liberties,

Massachusetts-based supermarket chain Market Basket has announced plans for a second Rhode Island store. The 89,000-square-foot store in Warwick expected to open next year will be located at a site that was previously home to a Sam's Club and later an At Home store, according to a statement from Mayor Joseph Solomon and Market Basket President and CEO Arthur T. Demoulas. "Our city's central location in the state, combined with our growing business climate, continue to make Warwick a natural choice for multiple companies looking to expand their reach in the Ocean State," Solomon said in a statement. Privately-owned Market Basket currently has 81 stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. The company in March announced plans for a store in Johnston.

Calling customer services lines could soon get even more frustrating. Microsoft has created an AI chatbot that companies can use to respond to call centre requests. Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, has confirmed that Macy's and Hewlett-Packard have already begun to use the technology. Microsoft hopes that other firms will implement the service in the future. Microsoft has created a chatbot that companies can use to respond to customer service requests (artist's impression pictured) Microsoft has created a chatbot that companies can use to respond to customer service requests.