High-tech Voyeur 2.0 toy: Introducing Ray-Ban Meta glasses

High-tech Voyeur 2.0 toy: Introducing Ray-Ban Meta glasses

Streamlining the Sneaky Spy: Connected Glasses and the Unsuspecting Public

By Stéphane Barge, Chief Investigative Editor

Updated on*

Connected glasses - the must-have gadget for aspiring Romeos? Last week, Chris John, a renowned social media influencer going by the alias 'Rizzzcam,' was busted red-handed stealing images. Known for his pick-up prowess, this San Diego Casanova was caught clandestinely filming a woman using his Ray-Ban Meta glasses. A similar incident occurred in Sydney a few weeks prior, where a women discovered she had been secretly recorded by another smooth operator while out bar-hopping. The TikTok video in question was shot by the glasses' wearer.

"The use of these devices on the street prompts several questions about the right to one's image and the respect for privacy" warns Joëlle Verbrugge, a lawyer and author of a legally-focused AI guide on images. The French regulatory body CNIL has been investigating this issue since last year.

These trendy specs, marketed since France three years ago as a collaboration between Meta (formerly Facebook) and EssilorLuxottica, come equipped with features like music-listening and phone call answering. However, they also allow for covert photos and videos through a small button on their frame. In late April, the glasses were updated to include additional functions, such as instant translation and artificial vision capabilities that offer insights on one's environment.

At first glance, indistinguishable from regular sunglasses, these Ray-Ban glasses hiding undetectable sensors in their frames are primarily designed to enable secret image capture. These images can even be live-streamed on Facebook and Instagram. Noting their stealth, the device has even been adopted by Laurent Baffie, a popular French television figure, who uses it to reinvent hidden cameras by sharing videos on social media.

Connected glasses owners are not only him. A study conducted by researchers from Monash University in Australia found that 17% of connected glasses users admitted to secretly filming people. And beware, potential misuse of these devices can have serious consequences.

Last year, two Ivy League students revealed they had transformed Meta's cyberspecs into a sophisticated face recognition tool by integrating a software they created into the device. With this purpose-built functionality, the duo could rapidly obtain personal information - names, phone numbers, and addresses - about the strangers they encountered in public.

Smile...you might be on candid camera.

Enrichment: The use of connected glasses for undercover photography brings about substantial ethical and legal implications, stemming from privacy and legal concerns that need to be addressed. Users should be aware of and abide by applicable laws while respecting ethical boundaries to avoid potential legal repercussions and public outcry.

Ethically, these glasses can infringe upon personal privacy and autonomy, threatening the sanctity of personal boundaries and right to own's image. Additionally, the use of such devices can undermine trust within social and public settings, upending established norms regarding mutual respect and transparency. From a security perspective, there are concerns about the safety of data collected by these devices, particularly if lost or stolen.

Legally, the permissibility of using connected glasses for covert photography relies on local laws. In regions such as Russia and Ukraine, using such devices for surreptitious recording is explicitly banned. Various locations have already prohibited connected glasses to shield privacy, like casinos in Las Vegas and movie theaters that restrict wearable technology to prevent unauthorized filming. Moreover, regulations safeguarding individuals from unauthorized recording and surveillance may apply, making it an offense to film individuals without their consent.

In summary, the ethically questionable nature of using connected glasses for covert photography raises significant privacy concerns, while the legal landscape varies by jurisdiction and may carry penalties for violating privacy rights. Users must take these factors into consideration when using such devices.

1. Without the knowledge of others, Christopher, also known as 'Rizzzcam', was caught using his Ray-Ban Meta glasses to secretly record a woman in San Diego.
2. Joëlle Verbrugge, an AI-focused lawyer, has expressed concerns about the use of connected glasses, stating they can infringe upon an individual's right to their image and privacy.
3. The French regulatory body CNIL has been investigating the issue of smart-home devices, including connected glasses, for potential privacy violations since last year.
4. connected glasses can blend seamlessly with fashion-and-beauty accessories like regular sunglasses, but they are primarily designed to allow for covert image capture and live-streaming on social-media platforms.
5. Followers of Laurent Baffie, a popular French television figure, have observed him using connected glasses to share hidden camera videos on social media.
6. A study conducted by researchers from Monash University found that 17% of connected glasses users admitted to secretly recording people, exposing a potential misuse of these devices.
7. In regions like Russia and Ukraine, the use of connected glasses for surreptitious recording is explicitly prohibited, highlighting the need for users to be aware of and abide by local laws regarding privacy and consent.

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