Australia Considers Smart Glasses Ban in Government Workplaces, While 70 People Sue Meta Over Unknowing Data Collection

Australia is contemplating a ban on camera-equipped smart glasses in government workplaces, potentially making it the first country to enact such a restriction, according to Reuters. In a separate case, over 70 individuals who purchased, used, or had their images captured by Meta's smart glasses are suing the social media company, alleging that their private and sensitive moments were recorded and exposed to foreign workers paid to review and label photos and videos.

These contractors, primarily in Kenya, work for firms that assist in training Meta's artificial intelligence. The plaintiffs claim the glasses captured footage of them and their family members engaging in various activities, including undressing, using the bathroom, and having sex, without their knowledge. One user from California, identified as PL18, alleges that his glasses unknowingly recorded moments in the bathroom, with photos of his family members using the toilet appearing in his gallery.

Meta, however, denies these allegations and asserts that it only uses data to enhance its products and user experience, filtering out identifying information to protect users' privacy. The lawsuit also seeks to prevent Meta from implementing biometric tools through the glasses, specifically a feature called NameTag, which would allow users to identify one another.

A separate lawsuit filed in Illinois alleges that Meta has been utilizing images of individuals' faces from their public Facebook and Instagram accounts to train AI models for tools like NameTag.