Hans Anders suspends sales of Meta smart glasses

The Dutch eyewear retailer Hans Anders has suspended the sale of Meta’s AI-powered camera glasses indefinitely. The decision follows growing public and political debate regarding the use of smart glasses and the privacy implications of the technology.

Concerns have been raised by Dutch organizations, which are threatening legal action against Meta, and by members of the Tweede Kamer (the Dutch House of Representatives), who are seeking a more concrete ban on devices perceived as ‘peeping glasses.’ Critics argue the glasses facilitate surreptitious filming, potentially leading to privacy violations and inappropriate behavior.

The Meta glasses, developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban, are designed to look like standard eyewear but include features for hands-free photography, video recording, calling, and music playback. While a light flashes on the front during recordings, the technology remains a point of contention. Hans Anders stated it will wait for further clarity and decision-making regarding smart glasses before determining if or how the products will be re-offered in its stores and webshop.