A Melbourne man, Rhys, says his privacy was violated after a stranger secretly photographed him using Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses and sent the image through Grindr. The incident reflects growing concern that camera-equipped glasses, which increasingly resemble ordinary eyewear, make it difficult for people to know when they are being recorded or to give meaningful consent.

Meta says it has sold more than 7 million pairs worldwide, while rivals and cheaper copies are expanding the market; Kmart’s A$89 camera glasses reportedly sold out in Australia. Critics cite reports of non-consensual filming, and an Australian petition seeking a ban on Kmart’s model had reached 21,000 signatures by Friday, although advocates note the technology can also be highly valuable for disabled users.