Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence capabilities, are at the center of growing privacy concerns. Recent complaints from women reveal a disturbing trend: the use of the device to secretly record personal interactions and subsequently publish them on social media without consent.

The Case of Yamini in India

One of the most prominent cases is that of Yamini, a 35-year-old professor from Kolkata. Last June, a stranger approached her on the street, claiming he found her "cute." Yamini, though uncomfortable, did not realize the interaction was being recorded via the Ray-Ban Meta glasses the man was wearing. She only found out the next day when a student informed her that the video had been posted on Instagram by a self-described "pick-up artist."

The video amassed 2.3 million views, with comments largely focusing on Yamini's appearance. She stated she felt violated, noting that the man had been following her for some time before approaching—a fact she only discovered after viewing the footage herself.

Legal Action and International Reactions

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) in India has initiated legal action against Meta regarding Yamini's case, seeking damages of 20.5 million rupees (approximately £160,000) and the removal of all copies of the video. This marks the second legal notice issued by the IFF to the company for similar incidents.

Similar reports have emerged from the UK. Isobel Thompson, a 22-year-old student, described a sense of violation upon realizing she was being filmed by a man who intended to post the video to "boost men's confidence" on social media.

Meta's Safety Safeguards

Meta maintains that it has integrated privacy mechanisms "by design." Specifically:

  • An LED light blinks during recording and cannot be disabled.
  • If the LED is covered, the camera ceases to function.
  • Strict policies against bullying and harassment are in place.

However, victims like Yamini argue that the light signal is not always visible or recognizable as a camera indicator, making it impossible to react or exercise personal autonomy.