Meta smart glasses face global privacy and security scrutiny

Meta's AI-powered smart glasses are facing intense scrutiny globally due to privacy and security concerns. In the United States, the New York Police Department's counterterrorism unit has warned that the devices could pose security and counterintelligence threats, specifically citing the risk of covert filming inside law enforcement and detention facilities.

Legal challenges are also mounting. A class-action lawsuit against Meta has expanded to include “bystander” plaintiffs, alleging that individuals who did not purchase the glasses had their faces, voices, and personal information recorded without consent to train AI systems. Whistleblowers have reportedly described instances of highly sensitive footage being reviewed by third-party contractors.

Regulatory and social pushback is evident across Europe. In Oslo, the glasses have been banned in schools, while in London, they have sparked protests regarding unauthorized filming on public transport. In Italy, the Data Protection Authority is closely monitoring the technology, with President Pasquale Stanzione noting that the devices pose significant risks to the protection of personal data and the safety of individuals.