By Zainab Shafiq 
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses once hailed as a revolutionary leap in augmented reality technology, have found themselves at the centre of a privacy controversy. Two Harvard students, leveraging the glasses’ built-in cameras and facial recognition technology, have developed a system called I-XRAY that can potentially extract sensitive personal information about individuals in public spaces.
The I-XRAY system works by streaming video from the smart glasses to Instagram, where artificial intelligence (AI) analyzes the footage to detect faces. Through internet searches, the AI can then gather additional information about the identified individuals, including phone numbers, addresses, and even social security numbers.
The students successfully demonstrated the system’s capabilities by accessing the personal details of fellow students without their knowledge or consent. This alarming revelation has sparked widespread concern about the potential for privacy violations and surveillance in public spaces.
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses can be paired with any camera
Meta, however, has distanced itself from the I-XRAY project, stating that the software used could be paired with any camera-equipped device, not just their smart glasses. The company emphasized that its product does not possess unique features that would facilitate such surveillance.
Despite Meta’s claims, the I-XRAY project has raised serious questions about the ethical implications of wearable technology in public spaces. The students defended their use of Meta’s smart glasses, citing their inconspicuous design and affordability as key factors.
The controversy surrounding Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with emerging technologies. As these devices become more prevalent, it is imperative to have robust regulations in place to protect individuals’ privacy and prevent their misuse.
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