Meta AI glasses face criminal complaint in Germany

The complaint specifically cites breaches of Germany’s Telecommunications, Digital Services and Data Protection Act and names Meta, its eyewear partners Ray-Ban and Oakley, and several retailers as defendants. HateAid contends that smart glasses should only be sold if they are clearly identifiable and that recording capabilities should be limited, similar to dashcams or bodycams.

Meta, however, maintains that the smart glasses were approved by Germany's regulator, BNetzA, in 2022 and were designed with advanced privacy safeguards, including an LED indicator light that activates during recording. These safeguards, Meta states, exceed those offered by smartphones. Meanwhile, Europe's privacy regulators are anticipating the finalization of a report on smart glasses this summer.