Facebook turns off facial recognition software following privacy probe findings

London - Social networking giant Facebook has stopped using facial recognition software that automatically identifies people in photographs after an investigation by privacy regulators.

Irish data protection commission identified the technology as one of the main privacy threats posed by Facebook.

Billy Hawkes, head of the commission, which mounted the investigation because Facebook's European operations are based in Ireland, praised the social network for cooperating, the Telegraph reports.

"I am particularly encouraged in relation to the approach it has decided to adopt on the tag suggest/facial recognition feature by in fact agreeing to go beyond our initial recommendations, in light of developments since then, in order to achieve best practice," the paper quoted him, as saying.

Facebook's introduction of facial recognition software, which it uses to encourage members to "tag" their friends in photographs, has long been controversial.

It was turned on by default last year, meaning members had to opt out if they did not want to be part of the system.

According to the paper, Hawkes stressed he was satisfied that Facebook had made clear a commitment to comply with its responsibilities in line with Irish and

EU privacy laws.