Facebook to acquire facial recognition company Face.com [Rumor]

Calcalist released a report today citing that Facebook is interested in buying Face.com, a technology company offering facial recognition software to its users. Just last week, we wrote about the rumor surrounding Facebook’s alleged intention to acquire the company behind the Opera web browser. According to Calcalist, Facebook is negotiating with the startup company for tens of millions of dollars. “Facebook acquired in March 2011 the Israeli-based Snaptu for $ 70 million in cash and stock. If the negotiations succeed, Face.com would be the second acquisition of the biggest social network in the world,” Calcalist reported.

The Next Web believes that Face.com has long been rumored to be a target of Facebook. TNW added that negotiations between the two companies have been held a number of times over the years, but Face.com has so far rejected offers because of the low price Facebook was willing to pay. Although the exact offer is hazy, sources from the web are saying that the offer could be between $80 million and $100 million. Face.com built a popular Facebook application called Photo Tagger and recently launched a mobile facial recognition app for iOS called KLIK. It all remains to be seen, Face.com CEO Gil Hirsch allegedly declined to make any comments about the rumor saying there’s “nothing new to share”.

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: Web
Tags: Facebook