Smart glasses boom triggers growing fears over secret filming and surveillance

Europe is witnessing growing concerns over the potential misuse of smart glasses for secret filming and surveillance. The issue gained prominence in the summer after secretly recorded footage of girls and women surfaced online, leading to a petition in Britain demanding a ban on the sale of these devices. Smart glasses, which can perform various functions such as taking photos, recording videos, listening to music, making phone calls, translating text, and interacting with AI assistants, have gained popularity among tech giants like Meta, Google, and Snap.

Sales of smart glasses have surged, with Meta selling seven million pairs in 2025, up from two million in 2023 and 2024.

The hype surrounding smart glasses intensified this year after a marketing collaboration between Kylie Jenner and Meta. However, the devices have also sparked fears over privacy and data protection. In August, a 17-year-old girl in Britain reported being approached by a man who covertly recorded her and their conversation using smart glasses. The controversy reached a peak in Europe, particularly in Britain, where media outlets extensively covered the incidents, labeling the glasses as "pervert glasses."

Meta has taken steps to address the concerns, including preventing tampering with the blinking LED light that signals recording to others. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to protect individuals' privacy. In Norway, Oslo banned the use of smart glasses in schools, and the government is considering regulating their use and potentially banning features that enable facial recognition in public spaces.

France's CNIL data protection watchdog has also urged vigilance, while a Swedish designer has launched a "Ban Ray" initiative providing signs and stickers to prohibit smart glasses in various venues.

EU lawmakers and data protection authorities are calling for clearer rules and stronger enforcement to ensure that new technologies do not compromise fundamental rights. The European Commission noted that national data protection authorities are responsible for monitoring and enforcing privacy rules, and an independent European Data Protection Board is expected to deliver a report in the autumn on the glasses' social acceptability.

The report will inform the European Parliament, where lawmaker Alex Agius Saliba has called for immediate action, advocating for a ban until the devices are proven safe. A petition in Britain has garnered over 9,100 signatures, and the British government is required to respond if it reaches 10,000 signatures.