With the rapid popularization of smart glasses equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, European regulators and legislators are intensifying their evaluation of the privacy risks they pose and may implement regulatory measures.
The European Union is reportedly discussing whether smart glasses violate existing privacy regulations, with multiple regulatory bodies beginning to study potential response measures. Privacy advocates point out that smart glasses can capture and collect personal information in a discreet manner, posing a challenge to the informed consent principle that Europeans highly value. Individuals being filmed are often unaware of being recorded and unable to determine how the related data will be used.
In a previous report, Swedish media revealed that Meta, a company, reportedly allowed subcontractors in Kenya to use sensitive images captured by smart glasses for training artificial intelligence models and content tagging. These images were said to involve personal activities like using the bathroom and conducting banking transactions, sparking public concern.
In France, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) warned in May that smart glasses could lead to a “nearly invisible and ubiquitous” surveillance model gradually normalizing, with profound social implications.
Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, a Member of the European Parliament, emphasized that now is a crucial moment for Europe to take action on the issue. She stated that if a technology may infringe on personal privacy or impact women involuntarily, consideration should be given to restricting its access to the European market.
Eric Leijonram, the Director of the Swedish Data Protection Authority, also emphasized the need for society to discuss the acceptability of such products and ensure that individuals being filmed are aware they are being recorded.
Anu Talus, the Chair of the European Data Protection Board, disclosed that the board has requested a specialized report on smart glasses and is expected to complete it this summer to study potential regulatory measures.
In response to external scrutiny, Meta stated that its smart glasses feature multiple privacy protection mechanisms, including a notification light when capturing or recording, and tamper-resistant designs to prevent obstruction of the notification indicator. The company spokesperson mentioned that unless users choose to share content voluntarily, recorded data will only be stored on the device itself. Meta also has a dedicated team continuously improving relevant security measures to ensure product reliability.
However, recent reports indicated that Meta is researching adding facial recognition functionality to smart glasses, further heightening European regulators’ concerns about personal privacy protection issues.
Besides Meta, Samsung and Google have announced collaborations to develop the next generation of smart glasses. There are also reports that Apple plans to launch related products before 2027. Market research shows that Meta’s smart glasses have accumulated global sales exceeding 7 million pairs.
As the popularity of smart glasses increases, legal challenges are also on the rise. In the U.S., there are ongoing consumer class-action lawsuits accusing Meta of deceptive privacy protection marketing for smart glasses. The plaintiffs are seeking to involve European consumers and exploring similar class-action suits in Europe.
Industry analysts believe that smart glasses are becoming a new type of wearable device in the era of AI. Balancing technological innovation and personal privacy protection has become a crucial issue facing regulatory authorities worldwide.