Meta's Smart Glasses Face Issues in Germany

The organization HateAid has taken legal action against companies selling devices equipped with artificial intelligence, claiming that the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer model in particular violates German privacy regulations.

The complaint targets Meta, companies within the EssilorLuxottica eyewear group, including Ray-Ban, and retailers Fielmann, Apollo-Optik, Mister Spex and MediaMarkt. HateAid cites a law that prohibits the sale of communication devices capable of recording people without their knowledge.

"There's no place to escape from smart glasses. You have to expect at any moment to be filmed and then exposed on the internet", said Josephine Ballon, director of HateAid.

Germany's Federal Network Agency is closely monitoring the market but is not yet formally investigating possible violations. According to the agency, the mere possession, import or sale of smart glasses is not prohibited, provided recording is clearly indicated, for example by an indicator light.

HateAid also points to a growing number of cases of image-based digital violence, which primarily targets women.

(Reuters, bak)