My concern is privacy and the fundamental disrespect for it. Meta has repeatedly shown us they prioritise profit over privacy protection from Cambridge Analytica to ongoing data breaches. A device that can record, profile you, and harvest information from social platforms to use against you is a major societal concern. As the article shows, this enables abuse against women, and men as well.
Why does Zuckerberg puts a bandage on his laptop webcam?
We need to ask ourselves.
Do we actually want this technology in our daily lives? Why do our regulatory systems allow companies to deploy surveillance tools with minimal safeguards? And what does it say about us that some people are willing to exploit these tools to invade others' lives?
Yes, smart glasses have legitimate uses but constant surveillance isn't one of them.
Here's the real test, If Zuckerberg believes this technology is safe, why not volunteer to be continuously monitored himself? His refusal would reveal what he already knows that this level of surveillance is dangerous.
As a society, we can push back.
We must demand real regulations mandatory consent before recording, criminal penalties for disabling safety features, and accountability for platforms that host non-consensual content. Technology companies cannot be allowed to normalise this level of intrusion into our lives.
The glasses are just another way to exploit and harm women, this crap needs to stop. No one’s private life is safe. Most importantly women’s lives aren’t safe. Technology has advanced into a very dangerous , and dark place.
I’m so glad people overall, but especially women, are talking about the specific harm to women these glasses are bringing because let’s not kid ourselves and pretend like this won’t harm women disproportionately. It’s creepy, it’s violating, and the men (and women) participating in this kind of circumvention of common courtesy and privacy need to seek therapy to find the root cause of their desire to secretly film women and then mock them online (or whatever else they do with the footage).
I have seen people wearing these glasses and have started to tell my pre-teen about them. I have two friends that were recorded without their consent and videos were posted online so I know the feeling. I get the technology innovation but the privacy concerns is real and I more real for younger generations that will do things they hope are not recorded but end up being recorded.
The advice I hate I follow but do now is
1. Keep an eye out on glasses for a the led light, if you see it, stay clear of the person or ask them to remove the glasses (I have done this)
2. In public settings remember that anyone can be recording so think before your act
3. If I let anyone in my house I ask them point blank if they are recording and I check their glasses
Why would anyone be surprised. When it comes to responsible behaviour and morality..not the best track record. Speaking from first hand experience. Spending time at HQ, Silicon Valley, never felt so uneasy at the sense of influence and power in the hands of so few.
This is exactly the part that worries me. The issue is not only the technology itself, but the culture it enters. When consent is already treated casually online, tools like this can make women feel even less safe in public spaces. Safety should not be an afterthought built in only after harm happens.
My concern is privacy and the fundamental disrespect for it. Meta has repeatedly shown us they prioritise profit over privacy protection from Cambridge Analytica to ongoing data breaches. A device that can record, profile you, and harvest information from social platforms to use against you is a major societal concern. As the article shows, this enables abuse against women, and men as well.
Why does Zuckerberg puts a bandage on his laptop webcam?
We need to ask ourselves.
Do we actually want this technology in our daily lives? Why do our regulatory systems allow companies to deploy surveillance tools with minimal safeguards? And what does it say about us that some people are willing to exploit these tools to invade others' lives?
Yes, smart glasses have legitimate uses but constant surveillance isn't one of them.
Here's the real test, If Zuckerberg believes this technology is safe, why not volunteer to be continuously monitored himself? His refusal would reveal what he already knows that this level of surveillance is dangerous.
As a society, we can push back.
We must demand real regulations mandatory consent before recording, criminal penalties for disabling safety features, and accountability for platforms that host non-consensual content. Technology companies cannot be allowed to normalise this level of intrusion into our lives.
The glasses are just another way to exploit and harm women, this crap needs to stop. No one’s private life is safe. Most importantly women’s lives aren’t safe. Technology has advanced into a very dangerous , and dark place.
I’m so glad people overall, but especially women, are talking about the specific harm to women these glasses are bringing because let’s not kid ourselves and pretend like this won’t harm women disproportionately. It’s creepy, it’s violating, and the men (and women) participating in this kind of circumvention of common courtesy and privacy need to seek therapy to find the root cause of their desire to secretly film women and then mock them online (or whatever else they do with the footage).
Your post is very good, and points out the dangers of eves dropping on unwittingly innocent people.
Yeah, like absolutely no!!! I saw these the other day and shuddered…. No, no and NO!!!!
I have seen people wearing these glasses and have started to tell my pre-teen about them. I have two friends that were recorded without their consent and videos were posted online so I know the feeling. I get the technology innovation but the privacy concerns is real and I more real for younger generations that will do things they hope are not recorded but end up being recorded.
The advice I hate I follow but do now is
1. Keep an eye out on glasses for a the led light, if you see it, stay clear of the person or ask them to remove the glasses (I have done this)
2. In public settings remember that anyone can be recording so think before your act
3. If I let anyone in my house I ask them point blank if they are recording and I check their glasses
I know it’s a lot but I am doing what I can.
Why would anyone be surprised. When it comes to responsible behaviour and morality..not the best track record. Speaking from first hand experience. Spending time at HQ, Silicon Valley, never felt so uneasy at the sense of influence and power in the hands of so few.
Excellent article—clear and informative. Would love a follow-up piece.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. This opens up a whole new can of issues!
This is exactly the part that worries me. The issue is not only the technology itself, but the culture it enters. When consent is already treated casually online, tools like this can make women feel even less safe in public spaces. Safety should not be an afterthought built in only after harm happens.
We need to reopen this petition and get a LOT more people informed and signing:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/739024
Not just women - children. Many, many children.
This is so terrifying!