France probes Meta over misuse of smart glasses in harassment cases

Paris prosecutors launched a criminal investigation on September 18, 2026, targeting suspected sexual harassment linked to smart glasses. The inquiry centers on a disturbing social media trend where users film women in public without their knowledge or consent, then post the footage online.

The case puts Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses squarely in the crosshairs of French law enforcement, at a moment when the product is arguably the hottest piece of consumer tech in Europe.

What triggered the probe

The French data protection authority, CNIL, has received fewer than ten workplace-related complaints involving smart glasses. CNIL also reported a noticeable rise in businesses approaching the agency for guidance on whether they can ban the devices outright on their premises.

Rights organization e-Enfance identified a pattern that made regulators particularly uncomfortable: users actively obstructing the LED recording indicators built into the glasses. Meta designed those lights to signal when the camera is active. Some users have been covering or disabling them specifically to film people without triggering suspicion, primarily sharing footage on TikTok.

French law already sets meaningful penalties for this kind of behavior. Non-consensual recording in private settings can result in up to one year in prison or a €45,000 fine.

Meta’s market position makes this matter more

Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, built in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, sold approximately seven million units in 2025, and sales growth accelerated further into 2026. The devices hold roughly 76% of the global smart glasses market.

The glasses also incorporate AI capabilities. Under the EU AI Act and GDPR, consent is a legal requirement for AI-enabled recording tools.

A broader European pattern is emerging

Several other European countries have moved to restrict smart glasses in public venues, creating a patchwork of bans and advisories. Ray-Ban smart glasses are experiencing what the company describes as exponential sales growth in 2026.

For consumers, the investigation raises a question that applies well beyond Ray-Bans: as wearable cameras become smaller, smarter, and more socially acceptable, the assumption of privacy in public spaces is being renegotiated without anyone formally agreeing to the new terms.