Meta’s smartglasses, which feature built-in video recording capabilities, have sparked considerable controversy this summer following a collaboration between the technology company and celebrity influencer Kylie Jenner to promote the devices. The backlash centers on widespread concerns that the glasses enable unauthorized surveillance and recording, particularly of women in public spaces. Multiple content creators have faced criticism for featuring the glasses in their social media content, regardless of their stated intentions for use.
Several high-profile incidents have fueled public concern about the technology. Police in Scotland initiated an investigation into a far-right social media personality accused of using the glasses to record individuals without consent. Additional reports documented instances of people being filmed during intimate encounters without knowledge and permission. A woman reported that an individual recorded her using the glasses and subsequently demanded payment to remove the videos from social media platforms. These documented cases have led numerous venues, including restaurants, theaters, and pubs in the United Kingdom, to implement bans on the devices.
Content creators who have used the glasses have experienced significant pushback. One influencer with substantial social media reach reported losing followers after participating in a Meta promotional campaign and subsequently issued an apology. Another parenting influencer described feeling horrified upon reviewing footage she captured while wearing the glasses in a public cooking class, noting that bystanders appeared uncomfortable. Both creators acknowledged the validity of privacy concerns, though they maintained their original use cases involved innocent documentation.
Meta has implemented privacy and safety features, including an LED light that activates during recording and tamper detection technology designed to disable the camera if the indicator light is physically damaged. The company states these measures were developed in consultation with safety experts and women’s safety organizations. Despite these safeguards, reports persist of individuals being filmed without awareness or consent. The glasses sold seven million units in 2025 alone, though their reputation continues to be shaped by concerns about misuse and unauthorized surveillance.
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