In France, prosecutors probe secret filming of women with smart glasses

Paris prosecutors opened criminal probes into suspected sexual harassment involving smart glasses after receiving complaints that women were secretly filmed on the street without their consent. The French data protection authorities have also received numerous business-related complaints about these devices. Meta’s smart glasses, developed in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica and marketed under brands like Ray-Ban, dominate the global market with a 76% share and sold approximately 7 million units in 2025 alone. However, their widespread use has sparked international concerns over privacy violations, harassment, and illicit surveillance. In Britain, some cinemas have banned smart glasses, while a German consumer advocacy group filed criminal complaints against Meta citing privacy laws. This scrutiny highlights growing global efforts to address the social impacts of emerging technology.