“This Is Violating”: US Woman Secretly Filmed by Influencer Using Smart Glasses Sparks Major Privacy Debate
In a chilling reminder of the dark side of wearable tech, a US woman has come forward after being unknowingly filmed by a social media influencer using smart glasses, igniting a fierce online debate about privacy, consent, and the ethical use of emerging technologies. The viral incident has left netizens outraged and questioning the unchecked rise of discreet recording gadgets in public spaces.
The Incident: Captured Without Consent
The unnamed woman, who was at a café in downtown Los Angeles, claims she was secretly recorded by a male influencer wearing smart glasses, which have a hidden camera embedded in the lens. She only discovered she was being filmed after a friend sent her a viral TikTok video — posted by the influencer — in which she was clearly visible, sipping her coffee and minding her own business.
The woman took to social media herself, writing in a now widely shared post:
“I had no idea I was being filmed. I didn’t give permission. This is violating, uncomfortable, and honestly, scary.”
The influencer, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly wore Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, a wearable capable of recording high-definition video with the press of a button — or even voice command.
Legal But Not Ethical?
While the video may have been shot in a public place — where filming is often considered legally permissible — experts argue that consent is still critical, especially when the footage is used for monetary or social media gain.
Digital rights advocate Sarah Tonkin weighed in, saying:
“We’re rapidly entering a gray zone where technology is outpacing ethics. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s right. The influencer monetized a stranger’s likeness without their awareness — that’s exploitative.”
The Smart Glasses Conundrum
Smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta, Snap Spectacles, and others are marketed as cutting-edge lifestyle gadgets, blending fashion with functionality. However, privacy watchdogs warn they may become the perfect tools for stealth surveillance, often without the knowledge or consent of those being recorded.
Key concerns include:
- Invisibility: Unlike obvious cameras or phones, smart glasses don’t alert the subject to recording.
- Normalization: As more influencers and creators adopt such tools, the lines between private and public could blur.
- Data storage & AI: Many glasses are connected to cloud servers or AI apps, raising questions about where this footage ends up and how it might be used.
The Internet Reacts: “Creepy,” “Gross,” “Predatory”
Social media platforms exploded with reactions after the woman’s story surfaced. Some users expressed rage at the influencer, demanding accountability:
- “This is why I’m paranoid in public now,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
- “There’s a difference between public and exploitative. This crosses that line,” said another.
- Some creators also called out the influencer, saying it damages the trust between audiences and content creators.
A Call for Accountability
Privacy experts and legal voices are now calling for stricter regulation on wearable tech, including:
- Mandatory visual indicators when smart glasses are recording.
- Consent-based policies on publishing faces or identifiable individuals.
- Stricter platform guidelines on monetized content featuring unconsenting individuals.
Digital law professor Dr. Aaron Giles noted:
“This won’t be the last time this happens. What we need are clear guidelines that place boundaries around wearable tech — especially when used for public content creation.”
A Wake-Up Call in a Wearable World
The incident serves as a wake-up call for society: as cameras get smaller and more discreet, the need for ethical tech usage grows louder. While innovation is unstoppable, how we use it — especially when others are involved — matters more than ever.
As the debate around smart glasses heats up, one thing is certain: privacy is becoming the new luxury, and in a world of invisible recording devices, consent must be non-negotiable.
