Meta Smart Glasses Face Privacy Backlash, Dubbed 'Pervert Glasses' Despite 7 Million Sales in 2025

Meta's smart glasses have drawn persistent privacy criticism since their launch, with many internet users calling them 'pervert glasses' or 'spy glasses' and voicing strong objections to their recording function. Numerous content creators have faced waves of negative comments after using the device to film videos, with some losing followers and others issuing public apologies. The controversy centres on the glasses' ability to record video silently while being worn, raising concerns that users could film others, particularly women, without consent and upload the footage to social media.

Cycling and home-life blogger Oliver Husen used Meta glasses to film a video of making coffee during the closing stages of the Tour de France, and the post quickly drew a barrage of critical comments. He admitted that using the device was 'a very naive move' and said he fully understood critics' position. Husen said he lost roughly 50 to 100 followers after the video was published and has decided to put the glasses away permanently. Parenting blogger Dina Lang, who wore the glasses during a cooking class, was shocked to find she had repeatedly captured other people's disapproving looks and eye-rolls while recording. She published a face-blurred video as a warning, which promptly drew heavy criticism. Lang said she felt embarrassed about wearing the glasses in public, believes the technology's downsides outweigh its benefits, and has stopped using it.

The controversy has escalated alongside cases of actual misuse. Self-described pickup artists have used the glasses to secretly film women they approached in public and posted disparaging remarks. Rida Tarana, a creator with 1.6 million followers, publicly took responsibility over such behaviour, criticising people who use the glasses to film and harass women. One woman said a man who filmed her demanded payment before deleting the video. Police in Scotland are also investigating an alleged far-right user who filmed young women without their knowledge and made inappropriate comments.

Despite the controversy, Meta sold 7 million pairs of the glasses in 2025. The company said the product was designed with privacy and safety in mind, featuring an LED indicator that lights up when recording begins, plus tamper-detection technology that automatically shuts off the camera if the indicator is compromised. Meta said the measures drew on input from experts including women's safety organisations. Meanwhile, some restaurants, theatres and bars in Britain have banned customers from wearing the device over privacy concerns. For many creators, the current climate makes them inclined to abandon the product rather than continue bearing the stigma of the 'pervert glasses' label.