Meta unveiled its latest smart glasses at the recent Meta Connect event. The new AI-enabled Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, set to hit the market on Oct. 17, is being heralded as the next big wearable tech device. Amid the excitement, there are also concerns about privacy and data security.
Critics say the voice controls on the smart glasses could lead to unintended recordings or unauthorized captures. There are also questions about data storage and processing. And there’s the ever-present possibility that threat actors could hack the device or get their hands on private data in the event of a data breach at Meta.
While Meta insists its new smart glasses were “designed with your privacy in mind,” privacy experts say the privacy protections are insufficient.
“I have all the same privacy concerns that we had with Google Glass back a decade ago. History is repeating itself. I see no difference with these glasses and previous privacy concerns,” bestselling author and cybersecurity expert Dan Lohrmann said in an email to VPNOverview.
“Many concerns with the Meta RayBans are rooted in their potential for misuse,” Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), told VPNOverview. “While some protections are implemented like the recording LED, it isn’t enough, and the device can still be used, intentionally or mistakenly, to invade people’s privacy.”
Privacy vs. Innovation
The new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are a major improvement on its predecessor — Stories. It comes with improved audio, an ultra-wide 12 MP camera, a charging case, and, most importantly, users can livestream with the glasses.
The glasses are also integrated with Meta AI. “By saying “Hey Meta,” you can engage with Meta AI to spark creativity, get information, and control features — just by using your voice,” Meta explained in a press release.
Meta has highlighted the privacy features of its new smart glasses. Like its predecessor, an LED light on the glasses indicates when it’s recording. Photos, videos, and audio from the glasses are encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. And Meta says it only collects basic data needed to ensure the glasses are working normally.
“You decide whether you want to share your additional data — info like the time it takes to create a photo montage or the tools you use to edit media in the app — so that we can offer you better, more personalized product,” Meta said.
Despite this, critics have expressed concerns, citing Meta’s history of privacy issues. “It’s ironic that Meta would hook up with RayBan, the brand that is synonymous with ‘hacked Facebook account,'” Richard Stiennon, a research analyst at IT-Harvest, said.
Last year, Meta paid $725 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit stemming from the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal. A study published in August scored Meta apps the worst for user privacy. The researchers said Meta’s ecosystem of apps are notorious for collecting vast amounts of user data for advertising and marketing.
Critics say the vast troves of data smart glasses could collect — like voice commands, visual recordings, and AR interactions — are a goldmine for advertisers and other third parties. Meta’s supplemental privacy policy says it may share data with third parties and other entities.
“Smartglasses are leading the way for augmented reality glasses, which are capable of collecting considerably more information, including biometrics, about the device user as well as bystanders. This information is a toxic asset, vulnerable to improper disclosures and data breaches which put people at risk—even if they never purchase such a device themselves,” Mir said.
“Rest assured, Meta will be monetizing data it collects from users of these glasses,” Steinnon added.
Meanwhile, Gerard Spierenburg, a spokesperson with Dutch consumer privacy group Consumentenbond, warned that the new Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses could inspire a new era of privacy violations.
“As you may well know, filiming other people – especially while harrassing them or in potentially harmful situations – is quite a thing nowadays,” Spierenburg said. “Even while there is a LED showing that you are being filmed, because I’m pretty sure there will be a way to turn that off or hide it in some way. So my main concern is with the potentially invasive character of the glasses.”
Hit or Miss?
“Many experts are predicting almost everything will be recorded in public in the near future with wearable tech, whether you like it or not,” Lohrmann warned back in 2013, commenting on Google Glass. While other smart glasses have been released since then, they’ve not performed well on the market.
The 2021 predecessor to the Meta Ray-Ban glasses was not received well. A Wall Street Journal report revealed that despite selling 300,000 units, only 27,000 active monthly users remain.
Similar products from other big tech brands like Intel (Vaunt glasses) and Microsoft (HoloLens glasses) did not make it far either. Perhaps Apple will have greater success with its $3,499 “Vision Pro” headset — though Apple has decided to sidestep generative AI for now.
While legitimate concerns exist, it is undeniable that Meta and Ray-Ban have pioneered a groundbreaking product. These smart glasses represent a significant leap in augmented reality technology, blending style with innovative features.
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are available for pre-order now on Ray-Ban’s official website at just under 300 dollars.
Check out our guide to the privacy risks of smart glasses to learn more about how this wearable device can compromise your privacy and how to use it safely.
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