Burning Man tells AI glasses wearers: Don't be a creep, get permission to record
Burning Man organizers have released their 2026 survival guide. In it, they allow recording-enabled smart glasses, but operators must get permission.
The annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert is approaching, and participants are preparing for their week-long adventure. According to the 2026 guidelines, attendees are permitted to bring Meta smart glasses, but they must obtain permission before recording anyone. The guide, aimed at Burners, advises them to be mindful of how they utilize these devices.
Some participants are debating possible ways to prohibit smart glasses at the event, while others argue that organizers should not tolerate such behavior. The 2026 Survival Guide emphasizes that the rules concerning privacy and consent remain unchanged but have now been explicitly extended to include smart eyewear as technology has advanced.
This update highlights the growing concerns around privacy associated with mainstream smart glasses. These glasses, including Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley AI models, possess cameras, microphones, speakers, and AI assistants, making them appear almost like regular eyewear. While they enable users to effortlessly record moments at eye level, their discreet cameras have raised privacy issues.
Users have resorted to tampering with the indicator light to conceal recording activities, prompting Meta to release forced updates. Despite these efforts, several videos showcasing harassment persisted online after Meta's crackdown was announced. The controversy surrounding these smart glasses was also brought up by singer Lorde during a performance at Madrid's Mad Cool Festival, where she criticized AI glasses, stating that they were not sexy.
As Burning Man 2026 takes place from August 31 through September 7 in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, participants prepare to navigate the festival's strict guidelines on privacy and consent, even while expressing their opinions on the use of smart glasses.
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