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Facebook rumored to acquire Israeli startup
World's largest Internet social network to pay up to $100 million for Face.com, a Tel Aviv-based facial recognition technology startup
The social networking giant is reportedly eyeing a purchase of an Israeli startup company – Face.com, which supports facial recognition technology, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday. The mega deal is estimated at $100 million.
The Tel Aviv-based startup offers accurate facial recognition software that could help Facebook users identify people in photos faster, both on desktop and mobile. The application is already integrated with Facebook and allows users to auto-tag friends in photos one at a time or in the entire album.
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Meanwhile, Facebook has yet to respond to the reports. "I have nothing to announce," said Facebook CEO Gil Hirsch.
However, TechCrunch website reported on Tuesday that the purchase of Face.com by Facebook is "happening and is a done deal."
If the recent reports are true, Face.com will not be the first Israeli startup acquired by Facebook. Just last year, the networking giant purchased an application based on the technology of Israeli company Snaptu, which was bought for some $70 million.
