Private moments, recorded through smart glasses, reviewed by strangers thousands of kilometres away. That is what a Swedish investigation found. Two MEPs want Ireland’s data authority to explain how that was allowed to happen.
Two Italian MEPs, Sandro Ruotolo and Nicola Zingaretti (both S&D/ITA), have sent a letter to the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC)—the competent body for Meta in the European Union—requesting clarification on how Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses collects personal data, and who processes them and how.
The initiative stems from a journalistic investigation published by Swedish newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten. The investigation revealed that images and videos recorded by the smart glasses may have been viewed by human reviewers from a third-party company based in Kenya, tasked with analysing and classifying the content to train artificial intelligence systems. According to the investigation, the viewed material included scenes of private life and extremely sensitive moments, often recorded without the knowledge of the individuals filmed.
Privacy at the edge
“Smart glasses and artificial intelligence open up significant opportunities for innovation,” Mr Ruotolo and Mr Zingaretti stated, “but it is essential that their development be carried out in full compliance with European rules on the protection of personal data and privacy.”
In their letter to the Commissioner of the Irish authority, the two MEPs specifically request clarification on whether investigations into the case have been initiated, whether data processing practices are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), what safeguards are in place in the event of data access by suppliers or technology partners located outside the European Union, and how the issue of personal data of third parties possibly collected by devices without being their direct users is addressed.
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“The protection of privacy and personal data is one of the cornerstones of the European digital model,” Mr Ruotolo and Mr Zingaretti concluded, “and it is essential to ensure that new technologies also fully comply with these standards.”
Ireland’s commission has yet to reply publicly. Meta declined immediate comment. A spokesman noted prior commitments to GDPR and said the firm vets data processors worldwide. EssilorLuxottica referred queries to Meta.
Eyewear meets enforcement
The episode highlights tensions in wearable tech. Snap’s Spectacles and Google’s Project Astra face similar scrutiny. Regulators worry about consent in public spaces. Bystanders cannot opt out of being scanned for facial recognition or gait analysis.
If Ireland finds breaches, it could order data deletion or suspend processing. Parliament might escalate to the European Data Protection Board. National watchdogs in Sweden or Italy could join as concerned authorities.
For Meta, the stakes involve trust as much as compliance. Smart glasses aim to blend augmented reality with daily life. Users expect seamless capture. The public demands safeguards. Messrs Ruotolo and Zingaretti’s letter ensures the debate stays live. Europe’s digital single market turns on such balances.
