HateAid Files Criminal Complaint Against Meta Over AI Glasses

The digital rights group HateAid filed a criminal complaint with the Frankfurt-based cybercrimes unit ZIT against Meta and several retailers over the sale of Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI smart glasses. The complaint alleges that the devices violate German digital privacy laws, which prohibit marketing telecommunications equipment designed to film individuals without their knowledge.

The legal action targets Meta, EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban, Apollo-Optik, Mister Spex, and MediaMart. HateAid managing director Josephine Ballon argued that the technology creates a situation where users must expect to be filmed and exposed on the internet at any moment. She specifically highlighted the risk of image-based digital violence targeting women.

In parallel to the criminal complaint, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is conducting an official inquiry into potential violations and continues to observe the smart glasses market.