Sexual Harassment Allegations: Smart Glasses Raise Concerns

Prosecutors in Paris have opened a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment linked to smart glasses, as countries around the world strive to address the social impacts of these devices. Several types of smart glasses are available on the market, but those from the American technology giant Meta dominate the market with a global share of approximately 76%. Meta’s smart glasses, equipped with artificial intelligence technologies and featuring a small built-in camera that allows wearers to take photos discreetly, have achieved significant global success, with seven million units sold last year. However, this success has led to increased international scrutiny by prosecutors, regulatory bodies, rights advocacy groups, and companies, due to issues including sexual harassment, illegal corporate practices, and unlawful surveillance. Some cinemas in the United Kingdom have banned the use of smart glasses, and a German consumer rights advocacy group has filed a criminal complaint against Meta and other companies selling these devices in Germany, citing privacy laws. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that it has recently opened at least one criminal investigation following complaints of sexual harassment stemming from a new social media trend that involves using smart glasses to secretly film women on the street without their consent and posting the footage online.