# The Webex name labels feature that face recognition serves

Canonical: https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/webex-calling-name-labels

Last verified: 2026-10-14

Name labels in Webex meetings are generated using face recognition, and how they display depends on the device that sends them[^23]. Cisco announced that the Name Labels feature is discontinued for shared devices and meeting rooms effective April 30, 2026, and states that no replacement feature is planned[^22][^21].

## How it works

Cisco's blog says a Webex device uses its camera and software to create a vector data set representing a face and sends that data set to the face recognition service in the Webex cloud[^10]. Cisco's blog says the facial recognition technology never streams the user's actual image to the face recognition system[^8]. Cisco's blog says faces are detected only when the user is an active participant in a meeting, and only if that user has opted in[^5].

Name label information is sent as metadata and displayed at the far end of the meeting[^37]. A name label shows the user's name, or their name and title if they added one[^25]. An enrolled user's name label appears when their camera is on during a meeting or when self-view is on[^24].

## Enabling and enrolling

Cisco's blog says both the administrator organization setting and the user-level setting for facial recognition default to Off[^6]. An administrator turns on face recognition in Control Hub under Organization Settings > Face Recognition[^1]. After enabling face recognition, the administrator clicks Invite users to get an email template that invites users to enrol[^2].

A user can sign up for face recognition only after their organization enables it, either through the invitation email or on user.webex.com[^17]. Enrolment captures a photo through the browser camera, in good lighting with only the user in the frame, and the user can retake it[^18]. If the organization enables titles, a user enrolling can use their directory title, enter their own title, or leave the title blank[^19].

A user edits, retakes or deletes their face recognition data on the Webex user site under Profile > Face recognition > Edit[^16]. If a user deletes their face recognition data, their name label no longer appears in meetings and calls[^13].

## How labels display by device

- From Board and Room Series devices, name labels are visible at the far end for the first 60 seconds of a meeting[^12]. After that, the active speaker's name label appears briefly when that person starts speaking[^11].
- From Desk, Desk Pro, Desk Mini and Room Kit Mini devices, name labels for up to 4 people at a time are visible at the far end throughout the meeting[^14].
- On a personal device, only the enrolled user sees their own name label[^31].

When calling from a Webex-registered Board, Desk or Room device, an enrolled user's label is shown to the receiving end and the caller sees the labels of enrolled people[^26].

## Device and client requirements

Name labels are rendered on Webex-registered Board, Desk, SX, MX and Room Series devices[^33]. Board, Desk and Room Series devices must be Webex-registered to send name labels[^36]. DX70 and DX80 devices can display name labels but cannot send them[^15].

Face recognition name labels are not available on transcoded conferences or on soft clients[^27]. Cisco's blog says facial recognition is available on Webex devices only and not in the Webex App[^7]. Third-party SIP video conferencing devices and older Cisco room devices may not be able to display name labels[^39].

## Toggling labels on a device

A user can toggle name labels on or off on a Board, Desk or Room series device only if their organization allows name labels[^41]. On the device, name labels are toggled by swiping right on the home screen, opening Device Settings and tapping Face recognition name labels[^40]. Turning name labels off applies to the next call only, and labels turn back on automatically when that call ends[^42]. A device that has turned its own name labels off still receives name labels from other participants when they are available[^43].

## End of support

Cisco announced that the Name Labels feature is discontinued for shared devices and meeting rooms effective April 30, 2026[^22]. Cisco states that no replacement feature is planned[^21]. If an organization manually disabled Name Labels before the April 30, 2026 deadline, the feature cannot be re-enabled[^20]. We infer that, as of 2026-10-14, the announced discontinuation date has passed, but the sources reviewed include no Cisco document confirming the removal was carried out[^30].

## Other uses of face recognition and of the term

RoomOS 26.3.1.3 (February 2, 2026) release notes say that to be selectable as host for AI notes, a user must be opted in to face recognition, proximity paired to the device, or have their host PIN available[^4]. We infer that name labels are not the only documented consumer of Webex face recognition, because face recognition opt-in is also one way a user becomes selectable as host for AI notes on devices[^29].

RoomOS 11.14.1.5 (March 6, 2024) release notes use "name label" for the participant name shown in a video stream, in the context of a "No audio connected" indicator, with no reference to face recognition[^35]. WarmTransfer's reading of the sources is that Cisco documentation uses "name label" both for the face-recognition overlay and for the ordinary participant name, so retiring the face-recognition feature does not by itself remove every name label in meetings[^38].

## See also

- See also [Cisco biometric AI features and their governance](https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/cisco-biometric-ai-features).
- See also [Enrolment storage and deletion for Cisco face recognition](https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/bio-face-enrolment-lifecycle).
- See also [The Cisco AI transparency note set beyond the contact centre](https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/cisco-ai-transparency-census).
- See also [Recording consent and AI processing privacy](https://warmtransfer.net/knowledge/ai-recording-privacy).

## Applicability

The AI notes host-selection behaviour that uses face recognition opt-in is documented in the RoomOS 26.3.1.3 release notes[^4]. The generic use of "name label" without face recognition is documented in the RoomOS 11.14.1.5 release notes[^35]. Cisco's blog says facial recognition is available on Webex devices only and not in the Webex App[^7]. We infer that none of the documentation reviewed describes name labels as a Webex Calling (cloud PBX) or MPP phone feature[^28]. Applies to: Cisco RoomOS, Cisco Control Hub, and Cisco Webex. Deployments: multi-tenant. Sources checked 2026-10-14.

## What remains uncertain

The current retention and deletion terms for face vectors and enrolment photos in Cisco's privacy documentation for facial recognition are not covered by the sources below. We infer that the discontinuation notice names shared devices and meeting rooms only, so whether name labels on personal-mode devices continue after April 30, 2026 is not stated[^32]. Whether biometric privacy law applies to Webex face enrolment is not covered by the sources below. RoomOS 26.3.1.3 release notes list face recognition opt-in as one way to become selectable as AI notes host[^4]. How AI notes uses face recognition beyond that, and whether it survives the name labels discontinuation, is not covered by the sources below. The Control Hub path Organization Settings > Face Recognition is documented[^1]. Whether that setting still exists after the shared-device discontinuation date is not covered by the sources below. The RoomOS configuration names that control face recognition and name labels are not covered by the sources below. Whether Cisco publishes an AI transparency note for face recognition is not covered by the sources below. Whether Cisco's privacy documentation for Webex Calling mentions face recognition at all is not covered by the sources below.

## Sources

[^1]: An administrator turns on face recognition in Control Hub under Organization Settings > Face Recognition. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Admin procedure, steps 1-2. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^2]: After enabling face recognition, an administrator clicks Invite users to get an email template that invites users to enrol. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Admin procedure, final step. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^3]: The Cisco AI Notes on Board, Desk, and Room Series help article describes selecting a host and using a host PIN but does not mention face recognition. Source: [Cisco AI Notes on Board, Desk, and Room Series](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n0l393f/), Using AI Notes during a meeting (absence finding across whole article). Checked 2026-10-14.
[^4]: RoomOS 26.3.1.3 (February 2, 2026) release notes say that to be selectable as host for AI notes, a user must be opted in to face recognition, proximity paired to the device, or have their host PIN available. Source: [Release notes for RoomOS software](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/llygcp/), RoomOS February > February 2, 2026 (RoomOS 26.3.1.3) > AI notes. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^5]: Cisco's blog says faces are detected only when the user is an active participant in a meeting, and only if that user has opted in. Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Facial recognition section, privacy paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^6]: Cisco's blog says both the administrator organization setting and the user-level setting for facial recognition default to Off. Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Feature summary table, facial recognition row. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^7]: Cisco's blog says facial recognition is available on Webex devices only and not in the Webex App. Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Feature summary table, facial recognition row. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^8]: Cisco's blog says the facial recognition technology never streams the user's actual image to the face recognition system. Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Facial recognition section, 'How it works' paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^9]: The blog's feature table says no audio or video is sent to the Webex cloud, while its text says a face vector is sent; most likely the table means raw media is not sent, not that nothing leaves the device (inferred). Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Feature summary table versus 'How it works' paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^10]: Cisco's blog says a Webex device uses its camera and software to create a vector data set representing a face and sends that data set to the face recognition service in the Webex cloud. Source: [Webex Advanced Collaboration features Providing Amazing User Experiences while Protecting Privacy](https://blog.webex.com/collaboration/hybrid-work/webex-advanced-collaboration-features/), Facial recognition section, 'How it works' paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^11]: After the first 60 seconds on Board and Room Series devices, the active speaker's name label appears briefly when that person starts speaking. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), How name labels display, Board and Room Series bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^12]: From Board and Room Series devices, name labels are visible at the far end for the first 60 seconds of a meeting. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), How name labels display, Board and Room Series bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^13]: If a user deletes their face recognition data, their name label no longer appears in meetings and calls. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Section on editing or deleting face recognition data. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^14]: From Desk, Desk Pro, Desk Mini and Room Kit Mini devices, name labels for up to four people at a time are visible at the far end throughout the meeting. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), How name labels display, Desk series bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^15]: DX70 and DX80 devices can display name labels but cannot send them. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Device requirements section. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^16]: A user edits, retakes or deletes their face recognition data on the Webex user site under Profile > Face recognition > Edit. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Section on editing or deleting face recognition data. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^17]: A user can sign up for face recognition only after their organization enables it, either through the invitation email or on user.webex.com. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Sign-up procedure, opening paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^18]: Enrolment captures a photo through the browser camera, in good lighting with only the user in the frame, and the user can retake it. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Sign-up procedure, photo steps. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^19]: If the organization enables titles, a user enrolling can use their directory title, enter their own title, or leave the title blank. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Sign-up procedure, title step. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^20]: If an organization manually disabled Name Labels before the April 30, 2026 deadline, the feature cannot be re-enabled. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), End-of-support notice at top of article. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^21]: Cisco states that no replacement feature is planned for the discontinued Name Labels feature. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), End-of-support notice at top of article. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^22]: Cisco announced that the Name Labels feature is discontinued for shared devices and meeting rooms effective April 30, 2026. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), End-of-support notice at top of article. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^23]: Name labels in meetings are generated using face recognition, and how they display depends on the device that sends them. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Section describing how name labels work, first paragraph. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^24]: An enrolled user's name label appears when their camera is on during a meeting or when self-view is on. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Section on how name labels appear. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^25]: A name label shows the user's name, or their name and title if they added one. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Section on how name labels appear. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^26]: When calling from a Webex-registered Board, Desk or Room device, an enrolled user's label is shown to the receiving end and the caller sees the labels of enrolled people. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Device display section, Webex-registered devices bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^27]: Face recognition name labels are not available on transcoded conferences or on soft clients. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Note following the device display descriptions. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^28]: The documentation reviewed presents name labels as a feature of Webex-registered Board, Desk and Room devices in meetings and device calls; none of it describes name labels as a Webex Calling (cloud PBX) or MPP phone feature (inferred). Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Device requirements section and title. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^29]: Name labels are not the only documented consumer of Webex face recognition: since RoomOS 26.3.1.3, face recognition opt-in is also one way a user becomes selectable as host for AI notes on devices (inferred). Source: [Release notes for RoomOS software](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/llygcp/), RoomOS February > February 2, 2026 (RoomOS 26.3.1.3) > AI notes. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^30]: As of 2026-10-14 the announced April 30, 2026 discontinuation date for shared-device Name Labels has passed, but this packet found no Cisco document confirming the removal was carried out (inferred). Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), End-of-support notice at top of article. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^31]: On a personal device, only the enrolled user sees their own name label. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), How name labels display, personal device bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^32]: The discontinuation notice names shared devices and meeting rooms only, so whether name labels on personal-mode devices continue after April 30, 2026 is not stated (inferred). Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), End-of-support notice compared with personal device bullet. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^33]: Name labels are rendered on Webex-registered Board, Desk, SX, MX and Room Series devices. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Device requirements section. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^34]: Neither the admin enablement article nor the user sign-up article for face recognition states a retention period for face data. Source: [Sign up for face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/n3ubk5cb/Sign-up-for-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Whole article (absence finding). Checked 2026-10-14.
[^35]: RoomOS 11.14.1.5 (March 6, 2024) release notes use 'name label' for the participant name shown in a video stream, in the context of a 'No audio connected' indicator, with no reference to face recognition. Source: [Release notes for RoomOS software](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/llygcp/), RoomOS March > March 6, 2024 (RoomOS 11.14.1.5) > "No audio connected" indicator in meetings. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^36]: Board, Desk and Room Series devices must be Webex-registered to send name labels. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Device requirements section. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^37]: Name label information is sent as metadata and displayed at the far end of the meeting. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Note on display compatibility after the device bullets. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^38]: Cisco documentation uses 'name label' both for the face-recognition overlay and for the ordinary participant name shown on a video stream, so retiring the face-recognition feature does not by itself remove every name label in meetings (inferred). Source: [Release notes for RoomOS software](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/llygcp/), RoomOS March > March 6, 2024 (RoomOS 11.14.1.5) compared with the face recognition help articles. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^39]: Third-party SIP video conferencing devices and older Cisco room devices may not be able to display name labels. Source: [Enable face recognition and name labels](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/mc602k/Enable-face-recognition-and-name-labels), Note on display compatibility after the device bullets. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^40]: On the device, name labels are toggled by swiping right on the home screen, opening Device Settings and tapping Face recognition name labels. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), Numbered steps. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^41]: A user can toggle name labels on or off on a Board, Desk or Room series device only if their organization allows name labels. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), Opening paragraph before the steps. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^42]: Turning name labels off on a device applies to the next call only, and labels turn back on automatically when that call ends. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), Opening paragraph before the steps. Checked 2026-10-14.
[^43]: A device that has turned its own name labels off still receives name labels from other participants when they are available. Source: [Toggle name labels on and off on Board, Desk, and Room series device](https://help.webex.com/en-us/article/au70s5/Toggle-name-labels-on-and-off-on-Board-Desk-and-Room-series-device), Opening paragraph before the steps. Checked 2026-10-14.