Senators Probe Meta’s AI Smart Glasses Over Serious Privacy Risks

US Senators Ron Wyden (D‑OR) and Edward Markey (D‑MA) have opened an investigation into Meta’s newly released AI‑enabled smart glasses, citing a series of disturbing privacy violations.

In a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, the senators warned that the glasses have been used to secretly film women and other bystanders, with footage later posted on social media. They also referenced reports and a lawsuit in which Meta’s contractors allegedly reviewed footage of people undressing and engaging in sexual activity.

The inquiry focuses on several technical and policy questions:

• How does the device handle accidental camera activation and the possibility of tampering with the recording indicator?
• Does the glasses blur faces or license plates during certain AI interactions, similar to Facebook and Instagram?
• Under what circumstances is captured imagery shared with Meta employees or contractors, or used to train AI models?
• Did Meta conduct comprehensive human‑rights due diligence and safety testing before launching the product?

The senators demand answers by Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026). They also note that users have reported the glasses recording conversations without consent after a firmware update, and that the devices have been spotted on ICE agents during raids. New York City Police’s counter‑terrorism unit raised surveillance concerns in January, and California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have banned covert recording with wearables.

Wyden and Markey argue that Meta’s stated commitment to privacy is insufficient if the company cannot prevent its products from facilitating abuse. They urge Zuckerberg to demonstrate concrete steps to protect users and bystanders.