Privacy backlash grows around Meta smart glasses

A backlash over privacy and surveillance is intensifying around Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses, with some content creators apologising for promoting the devices or putting them away after criticism from followers.

The glasses can capture photographs and video from the wearer’s point of view. Critics say bystanders may not realise they are being recorded, particularly when footage is later posted online. The concern has been amplified by reports of the devices being used to film women without their knowledge and by accounts that use covert footage for harassment-oriented content.

British content creator Oliver Hooson said he lost between 50 and 100 followers after posting a video recorded with the glasses. He said he had intended to show everyday coffee-making and cycling scenes but stopped using the device after recognising wider consent concerns. Parenting influencer Deena Lang similarly said she put her glasses away after noticing uneasy reactions from people captured in footage from a public cooking class.

The product has nevertheless achieved significant reach: the Guardian reported that seven million pairs were sold in 2025. Some users have also cited accessibility benefits, including navigation assistance for blind people and live translation of text.

Meta said its glasses activate a flashing LED when capturing images and include tamper-detection technology. The company said an update will disable the camera when it detects that the recording light has been physically altered or destroyed. The dispute highlights the gap between visible recording indicators and the public’s expectation of clear consent when wearable cameras are used in shared spaces.