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The smart “Ray-Ban Meta” glasses have sparked widespread outrage after allegations that they have been used to film women and others in public without their knowledge, with clips later posted on social media to generate views and engagement.
While the manufacturer insists the product includes clear recording indicators, critics say some users have found ways to bypass these measures, fueling a growing debate over privacy and digital ethics.
The glasses were marketed as an innovation designed to capture everyday moments with ease.
They resemble ordinary sunglasses but include a small camera capable of recording video and taking photos.
The issue escalated when some content creators began exploiting the near-unnoticeable recording feature to film people during casual conversations in malls, airports and shops, without informing them they were being recorded.
Many victims later discovered that their faces and reactions had become widely shared content, with some clips drawing tens of millions of views. Some said they were subjected to abusive or sexually charged comments as a result.
Although the glasses include an LED light that turns on during recording as a warning signal, some affected individuals said certain users cover the light with small stickers to conceal it, making recording almost unnoticeable.
Critics argue this turns a safety feature meant to protect others into a tool for concealment, deepening the sense of a privacy violation.
Meta Platforms said using the glasses for abusive purposes or in ways that violate others’ privacy breaches its terms of service, stressing that users are responsible for complying with local laws.
The company added that the recording light is a core part of the product’s design to ensure transparency, and that attempts to bypass it do not reflect the company’s policies.
Even so, laws in many countries still allow filming in public places, leaving victims with limited protection, despite the significant psychological harm such videos can cause.
Privacy experts also warn the technology could evolve into a tool for widespread surveillance in the future, especially if combined with facial recognition and digital tracking technologies.
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