A new street-level campaign in London has turned Meta's latest smart glasses into a sharp cultural talking point. The spoof ad, created by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, uses a lenticular design that changes depending on the viewer's angle: one side shows a polished promotional image, while the other reveals a stark visual with the message, "We're always watching."
The installation appeared near Meta's London headquarters and was designed to question how wearable cameras are reshaping everyday life. Meta's newest generation of AI glasses can record for up to three minutes, extending the device's creative and practical uses while also raising fresh questions about consent and visibility in public spaces.
Meta first entered the smart-glasses market in 2021 with its Ray-Ban line, and the product has since evolved into a more advanced platform for hands-free capture. The company has also said it plans a software update that would disable the camera if the recording light is covered or damaged, a move aimed at reinforcing transparency.
The conversation around the glasses reflects a wider shift in how society responds to wearable technology. Supporters see convenience, mobility, and new forms of expression, while critics focus on the need for stronger norms around privacy in places such as gyms, hospitals, and other shared environments.
As smart glasses become more capable, the challenge will be balancing innovation with trust, making privacy-aware design a central part of the next era of everyday tech.
