With the widespread adoption of camera-equipped smart glasses, concerns about privacy are increasing, especially the possibility of individuals being photographed in public without their knowledge.
Meta Ray-Bans from Meta and Ray-Ban are a prime example of these devices. On the surface, they look like any regular glasses, but they have a small camera built into the top of the frame, as well as an LED light that is supposed to indicate that recording has started.
Technology experts warn that most people cannot easily distinguish these glasses, opening the door to their misuse to record video or audio without consent, including vulnerable groups such as workers, the unemployed and women, as reported by CENT.
These glasses, as well as other models such as Oakley products, allow taking photos and recording video either via a dedicated button on the arm of the glasses or using voice commands such as: “Hey Meta, take a photo” or “Hey Meta, take a video.”
The devices also emit audio alerts and light signals when shooting or recording, but these indicators are often not clear, especially in bright sunlight.
Despite the potential benefits of this technology, such as supporting the visually impaired or enabling artists and chefs to document their work while performing, the lack of clear regulatory frameworks for the use of smart glasses makes it a real privacy concern.
Laws regulating their use remain limited or not strict, making room for abusive practices such as unauthorized photography, bullying, and even surveillance of participants in protests or those in sensitive public spaces.
Experts confirm that the first step to protection is to recognize the signs of these glasses, such as the recording LED light and audio alerts, in addition to paying attention to the shape of the frame and the location of the built-in camera. (Arm News)
