The key facts

  • Blind users of Meta smart glasses report negative attitudes due to incidents of covert recording and harassment using the device
  • ComicCon Scotland in Edinburgh banned wearable recording devices, causing a blind visitor to withdraw from attending
  • Meta states that the glasses give independence to blind and low-vision people, and points to the non-removable recording light indicator

Glasses as a tool of independence

Fraser Fleming, 44, from Motherwell, registered as blind, began losing his sight in his early twenties. According to him, the Meta AI glasses he has used for about two years have been a 'game-changing' aid: they describe the surroundings on the street, help navigate public transport, read signs and order from menus. Tracy Rogerson uses the technology similarly, for whom the glasses are an important part of independence.

Reputation concerns

Fleming told the BBC as part of the Your Voice project that people call such glasses 'pervert glasses' because of reports of their use for covert recording and harassment, particularly of women and girls, with recordings published online. He says he has started removing the glasses during possible confrontations and has to rely on other senses, which makes getting around more difficult. Rogerson said she was shocked by that name for the device.

Bans at events

Some venues and events have banned or restricted wearing the glasses due to covert recording concerns, including ComicCon Scotland, which will take place in Edinburgh this month. Monopoly Events, which organises major comic conventions in the UK, announced in July a ban on Meta glasses and other 'wearable recording devices' to stop covert filming of guests. Gordon Brown from Inverkip, severely sight-impaired and who had attended the event with his family for three years in a row, said he will not go this year and believes the impact of the ban on people with disabilities was overlooked.

Position of those affected and Meta

Cosplayer and performer Tia Pirn (Spill The Tea, 1.9 million followers on TikTok) said that at a convention in Birmingham she was secretly filmed, and the recording later appeared online; she felt 'violated' and described how a person deliberately provoked her for the 'perfect clip'. In her view, restrictions are needed, but exceptions should be made for people with disabilities. Meta in a statement emphasised that it is proud that AI glasses give blind, low-vision and hearing-impaired people greater independence, and noted that every pair with a camera has a bright indicator on the front that flashes when taking photos or videos, which cannot be disabled, and the camera is blocked if it is covered or tampered with.

Portrait of Fraser Fleming wearing dark sunglasses and a navy zip-neck polo shirt, standing on a wet city street with parked cars and buildings blurred in the background.
Image caption,

Fraser Fleming says his glasses help him navigate public transport and read street signs

Tracey Rogerson with shoulder-length hair wearing a light blue striped shirt, seated indoors in a large room with desks, computer screens and red beanbags in the background.
Image caption,

Tracey Rogerson says the technology is a big part of her independence

Close-up portrait of Gordon Brown wearing black-framed glasses and a dark collared shirt, seated indoors with shelving units, computer equipment and a red beanbag blurred in the background.
Image caption,

Gordon Brown is severely sight-impaired

Teah Pearn wearing a bright pink wig with pigtails, dramatic stage makeup and a pastel costume, posing with both hands raised and a tablet visible on the tongue.Image source, Teah Pearn
Image caption,

Cosplay artist Teah Pearn says she was secretly filmed by someone wearing the glasses

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