Meta Ray-Ban Smartglasses Split Opinion After 7 Million Sales on Privacy and Accessibility
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 6
Meta Ray-Ban Smartglasses Split Opinion After 7 Million Sales on Privacy and Accessibility
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 6
Summary
More than 7 million pairs of Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses were reportedly sold in 2025, but users and non-users say the devices are sharpening a divide over everyday use.
Blind user Nikki, 59, called the glasses a “real gamechanger,” saying the AI can identify obstacles ahead and improve independence in rural settings.
That accessibility case is uneven: Karen Walter, 84, said the live-caption feature worked in a quiet store demo but failed in noisy group conversations, the reason she bought them.
Privacy worries run through the backlash, with critics saying discreet cameras enable nonconsensual filming and make public spaces feel less safe, especially for women and children.
Data handling deepens that concern, as some users shrug off Meta’s collection practices while others say regulation and safeguards still lag the spread of AI wearables.