A growing trend of people deliberately wearing Meta smart glasses with built-in artificial intelligence cameras to film and mock strangers, then uploading the footage to social media for follows and clicks, poses a very real and serious threat to privacy and safety.
The deceitful act is an easy way for internet trolls to generate cash while making fun of people going about their daily lives. Earlier this year, a young Scots shopworker was left shaken after she was filmed at her workplace. Michelle De Jager was working at Tesco when she was approached by two men asking inane questions, unaware that one of the pranksters was wearing the smart glasses. The interaction was later posted on social media platforms and has since been viewed almost five million times.
How the trend works
Creators deliberately wear the smart glasses to instigate arguments with customer service staff, gym-goers, or people in public spaces to spark outrage. This results in high engagement when posted online, and turns even negative reactions directly into creator payouts, ad revenue, and follower growth.
Trolls are able to do covert recordings in sensitive spaces like gyms, pubs, and doctors offices because the smart glasses look like real eyewear, and are difficult to spot unless people know what to look for.
Backlash and public response
Many venues and organisations are banning Meta Glasses due to the surge in harassment and unconsenting recording, including CalMac ferries and Comic Con events. There have also been calls to restrict the use of the glasses in the Scottish Parliament amid concerns over privacy and security.
How to spot them and how to protect yourself
As Meta Glasses are a relatively new technology, there are currently no specific laws covering them. As there is no right to privacy while in a public space, it may not be possible to make a claim against anyone who films you without your knowledge using smart glasses.
However, you could make a claim over blackmail, data processing, or breach of privacy, if you are in a situation where you should reasonably expect privacy. If a user monetises prank content filmed without your consent, this could be classed as harassment, according to Samuels Solicitors, and could lead to a claim for damages.
Meta says a bright white light should flash on the glasses to alert people when they are being used to film, and that the camera will automatically disable if the glasses detect the light has been covered or tampered with. There is a growing consensus online that the best way to handle influencers trying to provoke a reaction with smart glasses is to ignore them or offer a flat, emotionless response, starving them of the engagement they want.
