Meta’s newest smart glasses have reignited concerns about privacy, as many believe the company is inching toward a world where constant surveillance becomes ordinary.
Introduced at Meta’s recent Connect event, the glasses reflect the kind of future that science fiction has long warned about, where everyone can record anyone at any moment and privacy nearly disappears.
This is not the first time the tech industry has tried to make wearable cameras mainstream.
More than ten years ago, Google launched Google Glass, which quickly became a public failure. People mocked its users as “Glassholes,” criticizing how easily the device could invade personal space. The backlash revealed that society was not ready for technology that quietly records others without their consent.
Meta appears to have taken a different approach. By partnering with Ray-Ban, the company has created glasses that look fashionable and ordinary. Small cameras are placed near the nose bridge or along the outer rims, and a faint LED light is the only sign that recording is taking place.
The glasses include a built-in display, voice-controlled artificial intelligence, and a wristband that lets the wearer start filming or livestreaming with a simple gesture. All recorded footage is instantly uploaded to Meta’s servers.
Even with these improvements in design, the legal and ethical issues remain. Current privacy regulations are too outdated to deal with the challenges that come with such advanced wearable devices.
Experts believe that social pressure and public disapproval may still be stronger than any law in discouraging misuse.
As Meta promotes its vision of smart eyewear, critics warn that what is really being made normal is a culture of surveillance.
The sleek design and luxury branding may make the technology more appealing, but the real risk lies in how easily people may accept being watched everywhere they go.
