"Pervert glasses" is a derogatory internet slang term for Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which are equipped with cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities.
The nickname emerged in 2026 after widespread reports and viral social media trends showed men, particularly pickup artists and pranksters, using the devices to secretly record women and strangers in public without their consent.
The backlash intensified due to several factors:
Covert Recording: Unlike smartphones, the glasses look like ordinary eyewear, making it difficult for bystanders to know they are being filmed.
- Harassment Content: Footage of unsolicited approaches and harassment was frequently posted to Instagram and TikTok, often leaving comment sections open for abuse.
- Privacy Loopholes: Although the glasses feature an LED light to indicate recording, tutorials circulated online showing how to disable or cover the light, enabling truly stealth surveillance.
- Data Privacy: Investigations revealed that intimate footage captured by users was being reviewed by human contractors in Kenya for AI training, raising additional privacy concerns.
In response to the stigma and privacy complaints, Meta launched camera-free audio-only versions of the glasses in late 2026 to offer AI features without the ability to record video.
