‘I’m not spying’: how Meta’s smartglasses have divided opinion
Meta's Ray-Ban smartglasses have sold over 7 million pairs in 2025, making them one of the most widely adopted wearable devices globally. Their popularity has split opinion between users who value the photography and accessibility features and critics concerned about covert recording and data collection.
Why this matters: The problem with a popular camera you wear on your face is that everyone around you gets recorded too, and they never agreed to it. Unlike a phone, smartglasses give no obvious signal that filming is happening. Bystanders cannot see a lens being raised or a screen being pointed at them. That asymmetry is the issue. Seven million pairs means this is no longer a niche gadget story. It is a question about whose comfort gets prioritized in public space, and right now the answer is clearly the person wearing the glasses.
Who should care: General readers · Privacy officers · Policy
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