German digital rights group HateAid files criminal complaint against Meta over AI glasses privacy violations

Published Aug 13, 06:00 AM UTC

German digital rights group HateAid has filed a criminal complaint against Meta and other companies selling its Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI glasses, arguing the devices violate German digital privacy laws by enabling covert filming. The complaint, filed with Frankfurt's digital crime prosecution unit ZIT, targets Meta, EssilorLuxottica units including Ray-Ban, and retailers Fielmann, Apollo-Optik, Mister Spex, and MediaMarkt. HateAid managing director Josephine Ballon stated there is no escape from smart glasses, which allow inconspicuous surveillance. ZIT confirmed receipt and will conduct a preliminary investigation. The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) said it is monitoring the market but not formally investigating breaches, noting that smart glasses are not banned if recording functions are clearly visible. HateAid cited increasing image-based digital violence, mainly targeting women. The complaint follows earlier legal steps by a Hamburg state privacy agency against smart glasses use.