Meta smart glasses face privacy lawsuit over alleged unauthorized data collection

09:15

By: Azzat Manal

Meta smart glasses face privacy lawsuit over alleged unauthorized data collection

Meta is facing an expanded class-action lawsuit accusing the technology company of misleading consumers about the privacy protections surrounding its AI-powered smart glasses.

The amended complaint broadens the group of potential plaintiffs beyond people who own or use the glasses to include individuals who were near them when the devices were allegedly used to capture images, video or audio without their informed consent.

The case highlights growing concerns over the spread of AI-powered surveillance technologies and the ability of wearable devices to collect information about people who may not know they are being recorded.

The lawsuit was initially filed in March after an investigation by Swedish media outlets reported that content captured by Meta's smart glasses had allegedly been stored and sent to human reviewers for purposes linked to the training and improvement of artificial intelligence systems. The reports cited Kenyan whistleblowers working for Sama, a long-standing Meta content-moderation partner.

The plaintiffs accuse Meta of misleading advertising, arguing that the company promoted its smart glasses as being designed with privacy in mind and gave users the impression that they remained in control of their data and content. The complaint alleges that some material captured through the glasses' AI features was nevertheless accessible to human reviewers.

According to testimony cited in the case, contractors allegedly encountered highly personal recordings, including footage that could reveal sensitive moments and identifying information. The allegations have raised questions about whether people recorded in the background of videos, including minors, have any meaningful way to give or refuse consent.

The amended lawsuit argues that people who happen to be near a glasses user may have their faces, bodies, voices or other personal information captured when AI functions are activated. It further alleges that such material could potentially be reviewed, categorized or used to improve AI systems without the knowledge of those recorded.

The plaintiffs claim that millions of people could potentially have been affected without realizing it. They argue that consumers would not reasonably expect a product marketed around privacy to also become a source of material for AI development or systematic monitoring.

Meta has rejected the allegations and said it intends to defend its position. The company has explained that its smart glasses allow users to interact with AI hands-free and obtain information about their surroundings. Meta has also said that data associated with Meta AI may be reviewed to improve its products and user experience, while measures are taken to filter information that could identify individuals.

The legal dispute comes as competition intensifies in the AI-powered wearable technology market. Meta has reported selling more than seven million pairs of its smart glasses in 2025, underlining the rapid growth of the category.

Other major technology companies are also developing competing products. Google is working on smart glasses in partnership with eyewear company Warby Parker, while Apple is reportedly exploring ways to incorporate cameras and artificial intelligence into future versions of its AirPods.

The lawsuit could therefore have implications beyond Meta, as regulators, technology companies and consumers continue to debate how privacy protections should apply when AI-enabled devices can continuously capture information from their surroundings.