SMART GLASSES HAVE recently been dominating headlines, evoking a mix of curiosity, trepidation, excitement and horror. Politicians and the public have growing concerns about the privacy and safety violations experienced by those who are covertly filmed by the devices.

Grassroots campaigns are being set up with the aim of having smart glasses banned entirely (or at least have measures put in place to offer them only to people who rely on them for accessibility). One newly forged group, entitled Stop Smart Glasses, has launched a coordinated initiative to demand that retailers and opticians stop selling smart glasses, as the risk posed to the public by the lack of regulation is so significant.

Across the board, many are growing uneasy with the potential that the technology has to facilitate the abuse and harassment of oblivious, vulnerable and non-consenting individuals.

The basics of smart glasses

For those who are unaware, smart glasses are near identical to standard eyeglasses –largely due to partnerships that companies like Meta have established with well-known retailers like Ray-Ban and Oakley.

Meta, of course, isn’t the only company involved in the space. Competitors include Lucyd and Viture, while companies like Samsung and Apple are also eyeing up opportunities in the space.

These glasses include a range of features including speakers that can play music or give wearers AI-generated advice. The latest version of Meta’s glasses also offer augmented reality (AR), which overlays maps, text messages and other notifications onto the lens of the glasses.

Essentially, we’re looking down the barrel of a future where every waking moment........

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