Meta’s smartglasses, which record video while being worn, have encountered significant public resistance centered on privacy and surveillance concerns. The backlash has intensified particularly over fears that the devices are being used to film people, especially women, without consent, and to share footage on social media platforms. This has led to the devices being labeled “pervert glasses” by critics concerned about misuse.
Content creators promoting the glasses have experienced substantial negative reactions from their audiences. Several influencers have faced criticism for participating in promotional campaigns, with some forced to apologize for endorsing the product. Oliver Hooson, a content creator with 224,000 Instagram followers, documented a coffee-making moment using the glasses and subsequently lost between 50 to 100 followers amid harsh comments. He acknowledged the backlash reflected legitimate concerns about privacy invasion, particularly against women. Similarly, parenting influencer Deena Lang wore the glasses to a cooking class and was disturbed to discover she had recorded other attendees without their awareness, prompting her to post the footage with blurred faces as a cautionary tale.
Documented misuse of the glasses has extended beyond online criticism. Reports indicate that individuals have used the devices to film women without consent and subsequently shared or leveraged the footage. Police in Scotland have investigated a far-right content creator allegedly using the glasses to record non-consensual footage. Some commercial establishments, including UK restaurants, theaters, and pubs, have implemented bans on the devices citing privacy concerns.
Meta has defended its product, noting that the glasses feature an LED light that activates during recording and include tamper detection technology. The company stated it designed the devices with privacy safeguards informed by engagement with safety experts and women’s safety organizations. Despite these measures, multiple instances have been reported where individuals claim they were filmed without knowledge of the LED indicator. Despite the backlash, the glasses sold 7 million pairs earlier in the year, indicating continued consumer interest despite privacy controversies.
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