Buyers of Meta's smart glasses face a new legal hurdle in Germany that could disrupt sales and reshape how wearable cameras operate in public spaces. A German non-profit group has filed a criminal complaint against Meta and local retailers for selling the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2. This action targets the device's ability to record video while appearing as standard eyewear, raising fresh questions about privacy enforcement for connected hardware.
HateAid targets the Wayfarer Gen 2 for alleged hidden recording capabilities
The complaint specifically names the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2 as the primary offender. HateAid argues that the glasses are indistinguishable from non-camera versions, making it difficult for bystanders to know when they are being recorded. This design choice is central to the group's argument that the device violates German transparency laws.
HateAid cites Section 8 of Germany's TDDDG, which bans devices disguised as everyday objects intended for unnoticed recording. The group contends that the current visual indicators, such as the recording LED, are not sufficient to alert people nearby. Hamburg data protection commissioner Thomas Fuchs previously supported this view, finding the LED insufficiently visible in earlier reviews.
The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is currently monitoring the market situation. The agency states that sales remain legal as long as the recording function is clearly signaled to the user and bystanders. However, the outcome of this criminal complaint is uncertain, as prosecutors must decide whether to open a formal investigation based on the evidence provided.
Source: NotebookCheck
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