Facebook has bought facial recognition startup FacioMetrics, potentially using the technology for photo or video effects to better challenge rival Snapchat.
FacioMetrics was founded in 2015 and specialises in using artificial intelligence to give facial image analysis capabilities to applications that run on smartphones.
The technology has potential in a host of applications, including those focused on animation, measuring audience reactions, and virtual or augmented realities.
FacioMetrics founder and chief executive is Fernando De la Torre.
Parent company Snap estimates it has more than 100 million users globally of the service for sending videos, images, and text messages which vanish after being viewed. Some reports say it generates 10 billion video views per day.
Facebook did not disclose financial terms of the deal to buy FacioMetrics, which was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania.