Meta sued over smart glasses privacy after reported footage reviews

In short: Meta is facing a lawsuit and fresh scrutiny over privacy in its Ray-Ban smart glasses, amid reports that workers reviewed some customer recordings.

What happened

Meta has been sued over privacy concerns tied to its Ray-Ban smart glasses, according to TechCrunch. The report says some recordings from customers’ glasses were reviewed by workers, including sensitive footage.

Separately, reports say Meta has discussed adding facial recognition to future versions of its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses as early as 2026. Facial recognition means the glasses could try to identify a person by their face (like a phone that unlocks by looking at you), and then show the wearer information. Privacy groups including EPIC and EFF have urged the US Federal Trade Commission to investigate, warning this could enable stalking, harassment, and unwanted tracking in public.

The concerns have already shown up in court. In a Los Angeles trial about social media’s impact on children, a judge reportedly told Meta team members to remove their smart glasses and delete any data, due to worries about the jury being recorded or identified. Reports also note that today’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses do not have facial recognition, but critics say future “always on” features could make it easier to identify and remember people without their permission.

Why it matters

Smart glasses sit on your face and can record what you see, which makes them feel less like a phone and more like a wearable camera. If other people can end up in recordings, or be identified by their faces without consent, it raises questions about privacy in everyday places like streets, stores, and schools.

Source: TechCrunch AI