When content creator Oliver Hooson filmed himself brewing a coffee during the Tour de France and shared the footage online, he expected viewers to admire his coffee routine. Instead, he was greeted by a wave of hostility. Commenters labeled him a "perv" and accused him of promoting "creep glasses." His mistake was documenting the moment using Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses.
Across the globe, wearers of Meta’s smart glasses are encountering intense public backlash, fueled by mounting fears over privacy and unauthorized surveillance. Although the tech giant sold seven million pairs of the high-tech eyewear in 2025 alone, public hostility has grown so intense that critics have dubbed the device "pervert glasses."
The backlash stems from widespread reports of the wearable technology being misused in public and private spaces. Self-described pickup artists and internet pranksters have used the discreet cameras to film people—particularly women—without their knowledge or consent, often posting the footage on social media. In extreme cases, victims have reported being recorded in intimate settings or harassed in public streets.
The public mistrust extends beyond social media comment sections. In the UK, numerous venues, including pubs, theatres, and restaurants, have introduced explicit bans on Meta smart glasses to protect patrons' privacy. Parenting influencer Deena Lang recalled wearing her pair to a cooking class, only to realize later that surrounding attendees were glaring at her with suspicion. "I just kept catching people giving me dirty looks or side-eye," Lang said, adding that she felt immense embarrassment after realizing how vulnerable others felt.
Meta has defended the product by highlighting a tiny, built-in LED light that flashes when the glasses are actively recording video. However, critics argue that the small indicator is easily overlooked or ignored, failing to provide adequate notice in busy environments.
While some users point out positive applications—such as live language translation for travelers or navigation assistance for visually impaired individuals—many creators are deciding the convenience is no longer worth the social stigma. For many, the joy of capturing hands-free point-of-view video has been completely overshadowed by public anger and ethical concerns.