Paris Prosecutors Open Criminal Probe into Smart Glasses Used to Film Women
September 18, 2026 - 8:10 am
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
Credit: TNW
The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched at least one criminal inquiry into sexual harassment allegations linked to smart glasses used for covert filming of women, according to Reuters, marking a strong stance on the issue by France. This indicates that the country intends to address this matter through the criminal justice system rather than solely relying on privacy regulations.
The probe centers around a disturbing trend on social media where men wearing cameras-equipped smart glasses approach women in public, record them without consent, and then share these videos online.
The office has refrained from disclosing the number of complaints received or identifying any individuals involved, as reported by Reuters on Friday.
Meanwhile, France’s data protection authority, CNIL, has also weighed in, issuing a warning in June to raise awareness about the use of such glasses. They noted that these devices can capture individuals discreetly, with fewer than 10 complaints related to their workplace use reported so far.
Nacera Bekhat from CNIL highlighted the challenges in obtaining consent and informed consent when using these cameras, stating they pose “real challenges.” The authority advised that an indicator light alone is not sufficient to establish consent.
In response to these concerns, Meta made two updates to its glasses, ensuring the camera stops recording when the indicator light is blocked. However, Ines Legendre, a legal expert at e-Enfance, emphasized that turning on a light does not constitute consent for filming or sharing images online.
The current French law covers only certain aspects of this issue; Article 226-1 of the Penal Code provides for up to one year in prison and a €45,000 fine for recording someone’s image without consent, but it applies only to private spaces, not public areas like pavements.
Meta’s smart glasses, manufactured in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, hold approximately 76% of the market share, according to Reuters, with Counterpoint Research suggesting a slightly higher figure. EssillerLuxottica sold over 7 million units the previous year. A Meta representative affirmed that their company has “built privacy into [the] AI glasses from the ground up.”
France is not alone in taking action; last month, HateAid filed criminal complaints against several companies manufacturing or selling smart glasses, and Australia’s finance minister Katy Gallagher requested advice on banning them in commonwealth workplaces. The UK courts have also been increasingly involved in addressing similar cases.