EssilorLuxottica's smart glasses boom runs into tougher regulatory scrutiny
Smart glasses that resemble ordinary eyewear are under increased scrutiny from European regulators and advocacy groups, leaving investors questioning whether sales can keep booming as Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica
European regulators and consumer groups are increasing scrutiny on smart glasses resembling regular eyewear, including the Ray-Ban Meta glasses from EssilorLuxottica, as sales have surged. The market for AI-enabled glasses grew to 8.4 million units in 2025 from 2.1 million in 2024, with EssilorLuxottica's Meta eyewear making up 81.3% of global shipments in the first half of this year.
While regulators have expressed concerns over the glasses' covert recording capabilities, which could violate privacy laws, EssilorLuxottica and Meta remain optimistic about the potential of AI glasses as a future alternative to smartphones. However, growing privacy concerns and social stigma could limit wider adoption.
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