First reported by the Financial Times
Meta’s AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses are a commercial success, but plans to add facial recognition may test the limits of public acceptance.
Smart glasses have made a fashionable comeback in 2025, thanks in part to Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban. With their built-in AI features like photo and video capture, object recognition, and real-time queries, the smart glasses, valued at $299, have avoided the backlash that plagued earlier versions like Google Glass. However, Meta’s renewed interest in facial recognition capabilities could revive concerns over surveillance and consent.
According to reports, Meta is again exploring facial recognition technology for its glasses, something previously shelved due to privacy risks. Advocates argue it could eliminate awkward social moments by discreetly identifying people during interactions. Critics, however, warn of the invasive implications of scanning and identifying strangers without consent.
Privacy expert Kashmir Hill warns against normalising surveillance. Others point to legal challenges, particularly in Europe and the UK, where stringent data protection laws like GDPR could block implementation.
Meta and eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica anticipate explosive growth in smart glasses. Questions remain over whether facial recognition will ever be legally or ethically viable.
