--- title: "The Backlash Is So Strong That People With “Pervert Glasses” Are Afraid to Use Them in Public" description: "Meta's camera-equipped \"AI Glasses\" are so divisive that some adopters are reportedly leaving their expensive smart glasses at home." date: "2026-07-13" modified: "2026-07-13" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/future-society/backlash-meta-pervert-glasses-afraid" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "mark zuckerberg" - "Meta" - "smart glasses" --- # The Backlash Is So Strong That People With “Pervert Glasses” Are Afraid to Use Them in Public ![A photo illustration featuring a close-up of a pair of Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses, with one of the lenses cracked.]() *Illustration by Tag Hartman-Simkins / Futurism. Source: Tada Images / Shutterstock* Meta's camera-equipped "AI Glasses" are so divisive that some adopters are now leaving their expensive smart glasses at home, as [*Engadget* reports](). Influencers, mostly men, have been using the glasses to inconspicuously — and non-consensually — capture footage of themselves approaching women and attempting to hit on them, [interactions they've then posted online for content](). Some wearers have even attempted to [extort victims]() of covert recordings for cash. That's on top of [serious allegations of alleged privacy breaches]() by Meta itself. And then, of course, there's the simple fact that a lot of people just really don't like the idea of the world's largest and most powerful social media giant, which has a history of [misusing biometric information]() and other [data](), facilitating abuse and surveillance in this way — especially as Meta has [taken highly controversial steps]() to [infuse facial recognition]() capabilities into the tech. The wearables have become so alienating that many people have taken to simply referring to the shades as "[pervert glasses]()." In short, it's no wonder some owners aren't exactly thrilled to be seen in public while wearing them. Several of them told *Engadget* that while they were initially excited about the tech, misuse and allegations of privacy violations on behalf of Meta have made them hesitant to use their smart glasses outside of their own home. "A lot of men and their behaviors have ruined this product," a travel creator named Danielle told *Engadget*. "I wouldn't feel comfortable around somebody wearing them, so I wouldn't expect anybody to be comfortable around me wearing them, no matter where I am." "At this point," she continued, "they're like a fancy paper weight." Will Kujawa, a freelance video producer, told *Engadget* that he was "blown away" by the comment section when he posted online about thinking of buying a pair, and that the intensity of the response made him think twice. "I saw all these comments about if you wear those glasses you're basically a predator or a creep, and I was like, 'Oh, maybe it's not a good idea to have those,'" said Kujawa. "I didn't really think that through all the way... there are a lot of times where it's not appropriate to wear cameras on your face." Nonetheless, Meta's smart glasses are [vastly more popular]() than predecessors like Google Glass, and other tech giants are now racing to catch up. Despite the ongoing privacy lawsuit and glasses-enabled abuse, Meta recently launched a [much-discussed new campaign]() with billionaire reality TV star Kylie Jenner. CEO Mark Zuckerberg remains convinced that [smart glasses will eventually replace the smartphone](). Should sales continue to rise, the controversy surrounding Meta's smart glasses is likely to deepen. **More on Meta glasses:** *[Meta Lied About Its Smart Glasses Protecting User Privacy, New Class Action Lawsuit Claims]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()