Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever

Meta's smart glasses have sold seven million pairs and dominate the market, despite mounting privacy concerns over their ability to record people without their knowledge [1]. The glasses, made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, feature an almost invisible camera and small speakers [1]. They are estimated to make up more than 80% of all AI or smart glasses sales [1]. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called them "some of the fastest-growing consumer electronics in history" [1]. However, the unobtrusive design means people can be recorded without consent, and a small indicator light is often missed in daylight [1]. Videos secretly recorded in public, including of women for online pranks, have been posted online, with victims having little legal recourse [1]. Meta spokesman Tracy Clayton said the onus is on individuals to not exploit the technology, though the company has teams to combat misuse [1]. Workers in Kenya reviewing video content for AI training have reported watching graphic material, leading to lawsuits from users who said they were unaware their videos were shared [1]. Other tech giants are now entering the market. Apple is reportedly developing smart glasses for a possible release next year, while Snap and Google are also planning new versions [1]. If sales continue, researchers predict up to 100 million people could own a pair in the coming years [1]. Attorney David Kessler warned of societal implications, stating, "There are some pretty dark places we could go here" [1]. Meta's reported plans to add facial recognition to future models could further escalate privacy risks [1].