Meta glasses face market backlash, several influencer creators embroiled in controversy

Meta smart glasses, although marketed as the latest technological product, have sparked widespread controversy due to their wearable recording capabilities, earning them labels such as "pervert glasses" or "spy glasses" from internet users. Content creators who use them often receive an overwhelming amount of negative comments, with some even losing followers or publicly apologizing as a result.

The core of the controversy lies in privacy. The glasses can record videos while being worn, leading to concerns that individuals may film others (especially women) without consent and post the content on social media. This worry has made "pervert glasses" a commonly used term of criticism online.

Creators Experience Backlash

Cycling and lifestyle blogger Oliver Husen recently felt this pressure. During the final stages of the Tour de France, he filmed himself making a flat white for cycling enthusiasts using Meta glasses, intending to document his daily life. After the video was released, the comments section was quickly flooded with messages like "pervert" and "promoting pervert glasses." He stated that while the criticisms were harsh, he fully supports their stance and admits that using the glasses was a "very ignorant act." After posting, he lost about 50 to 100 followers.

Husen's initial encounter with the glasses was at a PR event, with pure intentions. He found it interesting to see a chef filming the cooking process from a first-person perspective and wanted to use the same method to document his coffee-making or downhill cycling experiences. However, he now clearly states that the filming fun is not worth continuing to use them, saying, "I would choose to put them away."

Parenting blogger Dina Long had a similar experience. She initially thought the glasses could translate foreign languages in real-time, making them practical for family trips, and even planned to let her son use them. However, after wearing them during a cooking class and reviewing the video, she was shocked to see herself constantly capturing others' eye rolls and side glances. She posted a video showing blurred faces online as a warning, which immediately attracted a lot of criticism. She admitted feeling embarrassed about using them in public and believes the negatives far outweigh the positives: "I don't believe this technology can exist without being exploited by malicious individuals." Currently, the glasses have been put away in her drawer.

Abuse Cases Intensify Concerns

The rising controversy is directly related to actual misuse. Some self-proclaimed "pickup artists" have used the glasses to secretly film their attempts to approach women in public, later making derogatory comments. After Kylie Jenner collaborated with Meta to launch a co-branded version, more influencers began showcasing them, and some were forced to apologize. Creator Rida Talana, who has 1.6 million followers, publicly "took responsibility" and criticized those who used the glasses to secretly film and harass women.

More serious situations have also emerged: some women reported being filmed without consent by men who then demanded payment to delete the videos; others have been filmed in private settings without their knowledge. The Scottish police are currently investigating a far-right user suspected of filming young women without their knowledge and making inappropriate comments Sales and Official Response

Despite ongoing controversies, Meta glasses are expected to sell 7 million pairs in 2025. The company responded that privacy and security were considered in the design of the glasses, which are equipped with an LED indicator that lights up when recording starts, and include tamper detection features—if the light is tampered with, the camera will automatically shut off. Meta stated that these measures were informed by expert opinions, including those from women's safety organizations.

However, these explanations have not completely alleviated concerns. Some restaurants, theaters, and bars in the UK (including Wetherspoons) have banned customers from wearing them due to privacy worries. For many creators, the current public opinion environment makes them prefer to forgo the device rather than bear the negative label of "creepy glasses."