Meta is currently facing a lawsuit regarding its AI smart glasses, sparked by a recent investigation from Swedish media. The reports revealed that employees at a subcontractor in Kenya were reviewing footage captured by users' glasses, which included sensitive content such as nudity and private moments.
While Meta asserted that it employs measures like blurring faces in recorded images, some sources have challenged the effectiveness of these methods. This situation has caught the attention of the U.K. regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office, prompting an investigation into the matter.
In addition to the scrutiny in Europe, a new lawsuit has emerged in the United States. Plaintiffs Gina Bartone from New Jersey and Mateo Canu from California, represented by the Clarkson Law Firm, claim that Meta has breached privacy laws and engaged in misleading advertising.
The lawsuit highlights that Meta's advertising promotes the smart glasses with phrases such as "designed for privacy, controlled by you," which could mislead customers into believing that their private footage would not be accessed by external parties. The plaintiffs contend that they were not adequately informed about the potential for their footage to be reviewed by overseas workers.
This legal action accuses both Meta and its manufacturing partner, Luxottica of America, of violating consumer protection laws. As of now, Meta has not publicly commented on the ongoing litigation.
The Clarkson Law Firm has a history of taking on significant cases against tech giants, including Apple and Google, indicating the seriousness of the allegations against Meta. In 2025, over seven million units of Meta's smart glasses were sold, meaning a vast amount of user footage is subjected to review without an option for users to opt out.
Meta has stated that when users share content with its AI, it employs contractors to review this data to enhance user experience, a practice outlined in its privacy policy. However, the specifics of this process have been questioned, with reports indicating that references to human review are not prominently displayed in their terms of service.
Furthermore, the lawsuit draws attention to how the glasses were marketed, showcasing advertisements that emphasized privacy features and security measures. One such ad claimed, "You're in control of your data and content," suggesting that users could decide what information was shared.
The rising popularity of smart glasses and similar technologies has sparked a broader conversation about privacy and surveillance. In response to concerns, developers are creating applications that can alert individuals when smart glasses are nearby.
While Meta has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the lawsuit, spokesperson Christopher Sgro provided a general statement, asserting that the smart glasses are designed to allow users to engage with AI hands-free, and that any media shared with Meta remains on the user's device unless explicitly shared.
