Smart Glasses Face Growing Scrutiny Over Privacy and Harassment Concerns

Paris prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into suspected sexual harassment linked to the use of smart glasses to secretly record women in public and share the footage online. The probe comes as privacy regulators and authorities worldwide examine the social impact of camera-equipped wearable devices. Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, developed with EssilorLuxottica, are the global market leader, accounting for around 76% of the market and selling 7 million units last year.

The growing popularity of smart glasses has triggered scrutiny over privacy, surveillance and misuse. Some UK cinemas have restricted their use over piracy concerns, while a German consumer advocacy group has filed a criminal complaint against Meta and other companies. France’s data protection authority CNIL said it had received fewer than 10 complaints concerning smart glasses in workplaces and was increasingly being contacted by businesses considering whether to prohibit the devices. Australia is also considering restrictions on camera-equipped smart glasses in government workplaces.

Privacy advocates have raised concerns that the small indicator light on smart glasses does not provide meaningful consent from people being recorded. French law provides penalties for recording a person in a private place without consent, but authorities acknowledge that enforcement can be difficult when content is rapidly distributed online. Rights groups say women are among the primary targets of abuse involving smart glasses and are calling on technology companies to strengthen safeguards against harassment and non-consensual surveillance.

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