Meta is facing a new class-action lawsuit in the United States, after accusations of misleading users about the level of privacy in its smart glasses. The lawsuit comes on the heels of media reports that human contractors reviewed videos captured by Ray‑Ban Meta Smart Glasses, raising widespread concerns about how users’ data is used and their privacy is protected.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, accuses Meta of misleading advertising about the privacy features of its AI-powered smart glasses. Plaintiffs allege that the company did not clearly disclose the fact that some clips recorded by users could be viewed by human contractors as part of the process of training its AI systems.
This move follows a report published by the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, which talked about the work of subcontractors in Kenya reviewing videos captured by the glasses. The report indicated that some workers watched sensitive or very private footage, such as personal moments inside homes or in private places.
The lawsuit explains that two people from California and New Jersey purchased the glasses based on “Meta” statements asserting privacy protection, and they claim that they would not have purchased the device if they had known that the clips might be viewed by outside contractors. The plaintiffs are seeking financial damages, as well as an injunction requiring the company to more transparently explain how the data is used.
A Meta spokesman said that the glasses allow the use of artificial intelligence without the need to use hands to understand the environment surrounding the user, and explained that the media remains on the user’s device unless he decides to share it with the company.
He added that Meta may sometimes employ contractors to review some data with the aim of improving artificial intelligence systems, noting that the company is taking measures to filter data and protect users’ privacy.
This case reflects the growing challenges that technology companies face when developing devices based on artificial intelligence and cameras. With the proliferation of wearable devices such as smart glasses, there is increasing debate about how to achieve a balance between technical innovation and protecting users’ privacy.
