‘I’m not spying’: how Meta’s smartglasses have divided opinion

Meta's Ray-Ban smartglasses have divided public opinion, creating a debate over their benefits and potential risks. With over 7 million units sold in 2025, the wearable technology is rapidly becoming one of the world's most popular gadgets. Supporters claim the glasses are changing photography and accessibility for the better, while critics raise concerns over nonconsensual filming, privacy, and data collection.

Servaas, a resident of The Hague in the Netherlands, uses his Meta glasses daily for capturing outdoor moments. He explains that the small camera is discreet enough to go unnoticed by most people. Despite a few security incidents at government events, Servaas remains unconcerned about privacy, stating that he only uses the glasses for outdoor recording.

For visually impaired individuals, the smartglasses offer significant advantages. Nikki, a 59-year-old woman from Devon, UK, received the glasses as a Christmas present in 2024 and describes them as a "gamechanger." The glasses have helped her navigate her rural location by providing audio descriptions of her surroundings. However, Nikki worries that concerns about privacy and safety might hinder the accessibility of the technology for those who truly benefit from it.

Karen Walter, an 84-year-old resident of San Diego with severe hearing loss, bought the glasses for their live-caption feature. While the feature worked well during a quiet demonstration, Karen found it insufficient in noisy environments with multiple people talking. She believes the glasses are not yet ready for everyday use in such settings.

Kiki, from the West Midlands in the UK, expresses unease about the discreet cameras built into the eyewear, especially for women and children. She believes that the privacy risks associated with the glasses could lead to secret recording without people's knowledge. Despite acknowledging potential benefits for accessibility, Kiki emphasizes the need for stronger regulations to safeguard against misuse.

Pete, a 44-year-old from Northampton, believes that AI-powered wearables like Meta's smartglasses pose a broader issue: the collection of vast amounts of personal data without sufficient scrutiny or regulation. While he acknowledges the potential benefits for disabled users, Pete is more concerned about where the data ends up and who can access it. He calls for stronger safeguards before such technology becomes widespread.