Khaberni - Someone standing next to you in the subway or sitting across from you in a cafe might be filming you without your knowledge through smart glasses, a technology so sophisticated that most people don’t realize they are being recorded until it's too late, or may never realize at all.
Meta Ray-Ban glasses are currently the most common smart glasses. They are widely available and capable of taking photos and videos with a simple voice command or press of a button.
Smart glasses resemble regular prescription glasses to some extent, making them difficult to distinguish, according to a report by the technology news website "Tom’s Guide".
Here's how to identify smart glasses in public places and detect signs that someone is recording you.
1- Physical indicators
Smart glasses have frames that are thicker than regular glasses because they contain cameras, batteries, and electronics.
Meta Ray-Ban glasses, the most popular smart glasses, are characterized by noticeably thick plastic frames compared to regular "Ray-Ban Wayfarer" glasses.
Look for a small camera lens at the top corner of the frame. In Meta Ray-Ban, the camera is located in the top left corner from the wearer’s perspective. The lens is small but visible up close, appearing as a dark circular element embedded in the frame.
Near the camera, you will find a small "LED" indicator, which lights up when a photo is taken or a video is recorded. It's the clearest sign that the glasses are recording at that moment, although it is dim and may not be easily noticeable in bright lighting.
2- Signs that someone is recording
The "LED" indicator is the best proof that the wearer of the glasses is recording. The indicator lights up briefly when a photo is taken and remains lit continuously or flashes when filming.
However, the light is small and dim and may be difficult to see in direct sunlight or bright indoor lighting.
You may also hear a faint shutter sound when photos are taken. Meta Ray-Ban glasses emit a faint clicking noise similar to a camera phone's shutter sound. This sound can easily be drowned out by the noise of a busy public place, but in quieter settings, you might hear it if you are attentive.
You should also watch the wearer's behavior, as taking photos or videos requires either pressing a button on the arm of the glasses or giving a voice command like: "Hey Meta, take a photo". Therefore, if someone is repeatedly pressing on the side of their glasses or talking to them, it's likely they are capturing content.
Also consider that some people may turn off or cover the LED light indicator with stickers, making it harder to detect.
3- What to do if you suspect the glasses are recording?
If you notice someone wearing smart glasses and suspect they are recording, your legal options are limited in public places where filming is generally permitted. However, you can express your discomfort.
You should move out of their field of view or turn around to avoid being within the camera's range. Smart glasses have fixed cameras facing forward, so changing your position relative to the wearer reduces the likelihood of being recorded.
