Blab Tech
Lordes Madrid Rant Highlights Growing Pushback Against Metas Smart Glasses
In early July, singer‑songwriter Lorde interrupted a performance at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival to criticize a pair of smart glasses worn by the event’s sponsor, Ray‑Ban. The glasses, produced by Meta Platforms, are part of the company’s growing Ray‑Ban Meta line that has seen a 167 % year‑on‑year increase between 2025 and 2026, according to IDC.
Lorde’s remarks came as Meta unveiled a new edition of its smart glasses in collaboration with Kylie Jenner. The partnership, announced in March 2026, includes a version of the glasses that features Jenner’s voice and a design inspired by her signature style. The launch follows Meta’s earlier release of the Ray‑Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses in 2023, which added a 12‑megapixel camera, a five‑microphone array, and 32 GB of storage.
The devices are marketed primarily to men, but Meta’s recent focus on women has intensified criticism. Meta’s spokesperson said the glasses were built with privacy features such as a blinking LED that indicates when the camera is recording and cannot be disabled. The company also stated that the LED would be disabled if covered or damaged.
Despite these assurances, the glasses have attracted legal and regulatory scrutiny. In March 2026, Meta was sued after an investigation revealed that subcontractors had accessed footage recorded by the glasses, including nudity and other sensitive content. The lawsuit alleges that Meta’s marketing promised user control over sharing footage, but the footage was reviewed by third‑party workers.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also wrote to Meta in early March, citing a “concerning” report that subcontractors could view private recordings. The ICO’s letter followed a broader debate about the potential for covert surveillance, with activists citing incidents in which men used the glasses to record women without consent.
The backlash has been amplified by social media. Influencers who have promoted the glasses under the hashtag #MetaRayBanPartners have received criticism from their female followers, who express disappointment and fear of increased surveillance. Some activists, such as Gina Martin, who led a campaign to criminalize upskirting in the UK, have called the glasses a symbol of tech overreach.
Meta’s partnership with Jenner is part of a broader strategy to appeal to Gen Z and women, who are significant consumers of fashion and beauty products. Kylie Jenner’s involvement was announced in a press release that highlighted the glasses’ “custom voice” feature and a design that mirrors her “cat‑eye” aesthetic. The glasses are priced at $399 for the Jenner edition, compared with $299 for the standard model.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader smart‑glasses market. Oakley Meta, another Meta‑EssilorLuxottica collaboration, offers similar features, including a built‑in camera and open‑ear speakers. However, the market remains dominated by Meta, which holds a 76.1 % share of the smart‑glasses market in the United States.
Industry analysts note that the product’s lack of a heads‑up display and its focus on audio and video recording may limit its appeal to consumers who value privacy. The lack of an AR overlay means the glasses do not provide real‑time visual information, which could reduce their usefulness for some applications.
Meta’s current response to the backlash centers on its privacy statement and the promise of continuous improvement. The company has not yet announced any changes to the hardware design or software to address the concerns raised by users and regulators.
The situation remains fluid. Meta is expected to release updated firmware that may add new privacy controls, and it may face further regulatory inquiries. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment appears to be shifting, with a growing segment of women expressing reluctance to adopt the technology.
The debate over smart glasses highlights the tension between innovation and privacy. As Meta and other companies continue to develop wearable AI devices, the industry will need to address the concerns of users, regulators, and civil‑society groups to maintain public trust.
Lorde’s remarks came as Meta unveiled a new edition of its smart glasses in collaboration with Kylie Jenner. The partnership, announced in March 2026, includes a version of the glasses that features Jenner’s voice and a design inspired by her signature style. The launch follows Meta’s earlier release of the Ray‑Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses in 2023, which added a 12‑megapixel camera, a five‑microphone array, and 32 GB of storage.
The devices are marketed primarily to men, but Meta’s recent focus on women has intensified criticism. Meta’s spokesperson said the glasses were built with privacy features such as a blinking LED that indicates when the camera is recording and cannot be disabled. The company also stated that the LED would be disabled if covered or damaged.
Despite these assurances, the glasses have attracted legal and regulatory scrutiny. In March 2026, Meta was sued after an investigation revealed that subcontractors had accessed footage recorded by the glasses, including nudity and other sensitive content. The lawsuit alleges that Meta’s marketing promised user control over sharing footage, but the footage was reviewed by third‑party workers.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also wrote to Meta in early March, citing a “concerning” report that subcontractors could view private recordings. The ICO’s letter followed a broader debate about the potential for covert surveillance, with activists citing incidents in which men used the glasses to record women without consent.
The backlash has been amplified by social media. Influencers who have promoted the glasses under the hashtag #MetaRayBanPartners have received criticism from their female followers, who express disappointment and fear of increased surveillance. Some activists, such as Gina Martin, who led a campaign to criminalize upskirting in the UK, have called the glasses a symbol of tech overreach.
Meta’s partnership with Jenner is part of a broader strategy to appeal to Gen Z and women, who are significant consumers of fashion and beauty products. Kylie Jenner’s involvement was announced in a press release that highlighted the glasses’ “custom voice” feature and a design that mirrors her “cat‑eye” aesthetic. The glasses are priced at $399 for the Jenner edition, compared with $299 for the standard model.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader smart‑glasses market. Oakley Meta, another Meta‑EssilorLuxottica collaboration, offers similar features, including a built‑in camera and open‑ear speakers. However, the market remains dominated by Meta, which holds a 76.1 % share of the smart‑glasses market in the United States.
Industry analysts note that the product’s lack of a heads‑up display and its focus on audio and video recording may limit its appeal to consumers who value privacy. The lack of an AR overlay means the glasses do not provide real‑time visual information, which could reduce their usefulness for some applications.
Meta’s current response to the backlash centers on its privacy statement and the promise of continuous improvement. The company has not yet announced any changes to the hardware design or software to address the concerns raised by users and regulators.
The situation remains fluid. Meta is expected to release updated firmware that may add new privacy controls, and it may face further regulatory inquiries. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment appears to be shifting, with a growing segment of women expressing reluctance to adopt the technology.
The debate over smart glasses highlights the tension between innovation and privacy. As Meta and other companies continue to develop wearable AI devices, the industry will need to address the concerns of users, regulators, and civil‑society groups to maintain public trust.
