Criticism of AI-powered smart glasses erupted after Lorde used her performance at Madrid's Mad Cool Festival to reject the technology. The singer interrupted her set to warn the audience that distinguishing reality from artificiality is becoming harder, urging fans to avoid the new glasses and calling them unappealing. Her remarks resonated, reflecting broader unease about wearable AI devices that can record hands-free in everyday settings.
The debate intensified as Kylie Jenner, one of the world's most influential celebrities, faced mounting backlash over her partnership with Meta to promote AI-enabled smart glasses. The product is part of Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration, introduced in 2023, and combines a camera and microphones with open-ear speakers and a voice-operated AI assistant. Meta's product information specifies a 12-megapixel camera for photographs and video, alongside calls and other assistant functions. Promotional campaigns, including appearances by Kris Jenner, have not softened the criticism. Many social media users have voiced alarm about the potential for the glasses to be used for covert recording in public spaces, especially to target women without their consent. BBC News Brasil has reported allegations that camera glasses were used to film women and girls without consent, with some recordings later distributed online. Some users described the campaign as disconnected from reality, while others compared the ads to dystopian scenarios.
Jenner's own history with privacy has fueled the controversy. In a recent podcast, she recalled being persistently photographed by paparazzi as a teenager in Los Angeles, describing the experience as intimidating and invasive. Critics now point to this background as contradictory to her current role promoting wearable cameras. Consent educators and gender justice advocates argue that the technology could exacerbate surveillance and harassment, disproportionately affecting women. The debate also poses a wider reputational challenge for Meta: BBC News Brasil reported that Jenner's prominent role had not resolved criticism over alleged covert filming. Advocates emphasize that responsibility should not rest solely on users, but also on the companies profiting from these products.
When approached for comment, Meta declined interviews and instead referenced a statement about the glasses' safety features. The company says a visible front-facing LED lights up when the camera takes a photo or records video, acting as a recording indicator for people nearby. That signal concerns camera capture; it should not be treated as confirmation that microphone use or AI processing is inactive. Privacy analysis has likewise distinguished the camera indicator from audio functions, noting that a capture-LED safeguard is not an audio-recording safeguard. Meta's product information presents the light as a notice when the camera is active, but the measure has not quelled concerns about misuse or whether a small indicator provides meaningful notice in crowded public settings.
Pressure on Meta has grown in recent weeks. The company recently withdrew a feature that would have allowed users to generate AI content using public accounts, following objections from major Hollywood agencies and unions. Industry representatives stressed that personal likenesses and creative work should not be used without explicit consent. Meta acknowledged the criticism and confirmed the feature's removal.
Wearable AI technology, particularly smart glasses, remains contentious as companies push for broader adoption. In Spain and across Europe, privacy regulations are among the strictest in the world, and authorities are closely monitoring the impact of new surveillance tools. The debate also has practical consequences in other settings: reporting by The Star says camera-equipped smart glasses have been prohibited in some courts in England and New York. Such venue-specific restrictions are not blanket bans on ownership or ordinary use, but they reflect concerns about recording in sensitive proceedings. Meta's product range also includes camera-free audio glasses; removing the camera reduces the risk of visual recording, but microphones and cloud-connected AI leave separate audio and data-privacy questions. The controversy over Meta's glasses and high-profile endorsements such as Jenner's may influence future regulatory discussions and public acceptance. The balance between new idea and privacy remains unresolved, with consumers and policymakers watching developments closely.
