Smart Glasses Privacy Concerns Mount as Meta Sales Hit Seven Million

BBC Business reported Tuesday that Meta has sold seven million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses. This comes even as a wave of privacy complaints continues to grow around the product.

Covert Recording Fuels Backlash Against Meta Smart Glasses

Women in public spaces have described being secretly filmed by men wearing the glasses. Victims only discovered the recordings after videos surfaced online and attracted abuse. One woman said she asked the uploader to remove footage of her. She was reportedly told removal was “a paid service.” Legal options remain limited because photographing people in public spaces is broadly permissible.

The glasses are built in partnership with EssilorLuxottica and carry the classic Ray-Ban silhouette. An almost invisible camera sits within the frame. Users can begin recording with a subtle touch. The indicator light that activates during recording is reportedly too dim to be noticed easily outdoors.

Also Read: AI Companies Face Mounting Scrutiny Over Data Privacy Practices

A Troubled History in the Wearables Market

Smart glasses are not a new idea. Google launched its Glass product more than a decade ago. It pulled the device from public sale within two years. Privacy objections and a prohibitive price tag doomed the experiment.

That failure did not deter Meta. The company entered the market and now controls roughly 80% of AI glasses sales, according to BBC Business. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called the product one of the fastest-growing consumer electronics launches in history.

Separate controversies have compounded the criticism. Workers in Kenya hired to review user-recorded video for AI training purposes said they were exposed to graphic content. Two subsequent lawsuits alleged some owners were unaware their footage had been shared with the company at all.

Also Read: Meta Faces Legal Pressure Over AI Data Handling

Rivals Prepare to Enter the Market

The competitive landscape is shifting quickly. Apple is reportedly developing its own smart glasses for a possible launch next year. Snap has confirmed a new version of its Spectacles is coming in 2026. Google is preparing a second attempt at the category.

All expected products will combine AI and augmented reality features. Both technologies typically require an onboard camera, meaning privacy questions will follow every entrant into the space.

Meta spokesman Tracy Clayton told BBC Business that individuals bear responsibility for how they use any technology. The company said it maintains dedicated teams to address misuse.

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