Austin, Texas. The Texas Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation this Wednesday into Meta smart glasses, amid concerns over potential violations of state privacy laws and the use of data captured without consent. The case once again puts pressure on the tech company behind Facebook, this time over a device that combines a camera, microphone, speakers, and artificial intelligence.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office will review whether these Meta smart glasses allow for the irregular recording, tracking, or collection of personal information. The central concern revolves around the device’s ability to record audio and video in public and private spaces without everyone nearby clearly noticing it.
The recording signal that raises doubts
Meta launched these glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban in 2023. The product includes an LED light that turns on when recording, but the Texas attorney general’s office argues that this indicator can be easily concealed and does not always function in constant recording mode. That detail fuels the debate over whether the user and nearby individuals truly have an effective warning.
Privacy, the most sensitive point
Meta smart glasses are presented as an everyday device with capture functions, an AI assistant, and hands-free capabilities. However, privacy specialists have warned in various forums that wearable devices with cameras change the relationship between technology and consent, because recording can happen in seconds and without the visual context offered by a phone held up in front of the face.
In Texas, the case does not arise in a vacuum. Facebook’s parent company had previously reached a $1.4 billion settlement with that state in a lawsuit regarding the unauthorized use of users’ biometric data. That history reinforces the watchful tone that Paxton’s office maintains toward the company.
Meta and the biometric data precedent
The new inquiry also has a political and judicial interpretation. Paxton, who has initiated several actions against big tech companies, assured that his office wants to prevent anyone from being recorded or subjected to data collection without permission. The investigation does not imply a penalty on its own, but it can open the door to new information requests, technical reviews of the product, and potential legal actions.
What is at stake for users
- Covert recording in public or private spaces.
- Use of personal data without clear consent.
- Risks of involuntary surveillance by third parties.
- Transparency obligations regarding when the device is recording.
For now, Meta has not detailed any immediate changes to the product as a result of the announcement. But the Texas investigation once again places Meta smart glasses at the center of an increasingly broad discussion about privacy, AI, and devices capable of recording daily life with no apparent effort. If the state moves forward with its inquiry, the case could serve as a reference for other regulators interested in the same type of technology.
