Meta's smartglasses, which can discreetly record video, have prompted a strong public backlash amid fears they are being used to film people, particularly women, without their consent. The devices have been dubbed "pervert glasses" online, and content creators who wear them for entirely innocuous purposes are being met with hostile accusations, reflecting broader unease about the erosion of privacy as wearable cameras become mainstream consumer products.

The backlash intensified this summer after Kylie Jenner partnered with Meta to launch a version of the glasses, prompting many influencers to promote them. Some, including creator Rida Tharana, who has 1.6 million Instagram followers, later apologised for taking part, criticising men who use the glasses to "record and harass women". Cyclist and home-design influencer Oliver Hooson, who has 224,000 followers, said he lost "a good 50 to 100" followers after posting an innocent video of himself making coffee, having been accused of using "spy glasses"; he said he supports the backlash despite his own experience being misread, describing the "pervert glasses" label as a useful deterrent against misuse.