AC thVRsday
In his weekly column, Senior Android Content Producer Nick Sutrich delves into all things VR, from new hardware to new games, upcoming technologies, and more.
Back in 2014, when Google Glass ushered in the future of wearable technology, some users gave Google’s first pair of smart glasses a bad name. These people often misuse the mirror camera, give weird, obnoxious commands to Google Assistant in public, ignore everyone in the room by staring at the built-in mirror display, or just generally act pretentious.
That clearly shows any of the new smart glasses with cameras, including popular releases from Ray-Ban and Oakley, as well as competing brands like RayNeo and Solos. Although there is a big gap in time between the original release of Google Glass and the modern take on the concept, it is clear from the sales of the product that smart glasses with cameras are here to stay.
While the military certainly has the power to limit the use of these weapons within its ranks, things are much more difficult for civilians. Recording a video with your phone is usually obvious, after all, but invisible smart glasses are not. That gave several lawmakers a referendum to stem the tide of further privacy attacks.
During the 2026 Super Bowl, Ring aired an ad showcasing its new Search Party feature to help find a lost pet using Ring Doorbell neighborhood cameras. It’s a smart use of AI that Ring is designed to help neighbors in meaningful ways, but not everyone thinks so.
Minnesota lawmakers are said to be looking at ways to prevent the sharing of Ring camera data by AI tools like Ring Search Party, but they are not the first to try similar measures. Features like Common Faces, which are available on both the Ring Doorbell and Google Nest cameras, are not available in all US states due to potential legal issues related to privacy, according to the EFF.
Unsurprisingly, Google, Meta, Amazon, and other companies have already settled legal disputes with several states, including Texas and Illinois, regarding the collection of biometric data. This includes arguments about Nest cameras and recommendations for automatic photo tagging on Facebook.
Given the results of these types of cases, it is clear that states and lawmakers have a role to play in protecting citizens’ privacy. Facebook shut down its facial recognition system all over back in 2021, and we may start seeing politicians campaigning on these issues soon.
The question, of course, is whether anything will (or should) be done about camera-equipped smart glasses. Just as some places don’t allow photography of light or pets, I can see more places starting to adopt a “no camera glasses” rule. No shirt, no shoes, no service, in other words.
Whether culture ultimately cares enough about privacy, in general, remains to be seen. Would you continue to support areas that ban the use of smart glasses, or do you think it is inevitable that more people will wear these types of glasses in the future? I would love to hear your comments in the comments below.
