Privacy Advocates Sound Alarm Over Meta's Smart Glasses Ambitions

A new wave of concern is washing over privacy watchdogs and women's safety groups, this time directed at Meta's reported plans to integrate advanced facial recognition into its smart glasses. Critics argue that such a move, expected in the coming year, could create a potent new tool for harassment and surveillance.

The core fear is that the always-on, internet-connected nature of wearable cameras, paired with real-time identification software, would enable strangers to identify individuals in public spaces without their knowledge or consent. This, experts warn, poses a disproportionate threat to women, who already face high rates of stalking and online harassment.

"This isn't about the technology itself, but how it's deployed," said Dr. Anya Sharma, a digital rights researcher at the University of Chicago. "Placing this capability in consumer glasses normalizes a level of public surveillance we've never accepted before. It turns every wearer into a potential scout for a corporate database."

The debate arrives as the administration of President Donald Trump, elected to a second term in 2025, has signaled a focus on deregulating tech innovation, leaving many to question what federal guardrails might exist. Meta has not publicly confirmed the specific plans, but its continued investment in augmented reality is no secret.

For now, the conversation is a preemptive one, centered on whether the market is ready for a product that could fundamentally alter our expectations of anonymity in daily life. The question being asked in policy circles isn't just if Meta can build it, but whether it should.