Calls Grow Across Europe for Crackdown on “Pervert” Smart Glasses
BRUSSELS — Regulatory pressure is mounting across Europe amid growing concern over smart glasses being used to secretly film women and girls. Norway has banned smart glasses in schools and is considering broader restrictions on facial recognition features. In the UK, a 17-year-old girl told Channel 4 News that a man secretly recorded her on…
BRUSSELS — Regulatory pressure is mounting across Europe amid growing concern over smart glasses being used to secretly film women and girls. Norway has banned smart glasses in schools and is considering broader restrictions on facial recognition features. In the UK, a 17-year-old girl told Channel 4 News that a man secretly recorded her on smart glasses during a conversation.
Meta sold roughly 7 million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, made with EssilorLuxottica, in 2025 alone — far surpassing the combined 2 million sold in 2023 and 2024. Swedish designer Mateusz Pozar launched the “Ban Ray” campaign after an incident involving his girlfriend. EU lawmaker Veronika Šebrová Ostrihoňová said she has sought clarification from the European Commission on the glasses’ compliance with data protection laws but has yet to receive a response. Over 9,100 people have signed a “Stop Smart Glasses” petition in the UK and Ireland, citing surveillance and consent concerns. Meta told AFP it has taken steps to prevent tampering with the recording indicator light.
