French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into suspected sexual harassment involving smart glasses, as authorities and businesses increasingly confront privacy and surveillance concerns surrounding the rapidly growing technology.
The Paris prosecutor’s office told Reuters that at least one investigation was recently launched following complaints linked to a social media trend in which women were allegedly filmed on the street without their consent using smart glasses, with the footage subsequently posted online.
Prosecutors did not identify the brand of glasses involved. They said, however, that the office’s cybercrime unit tested smart glasses two weeks ago to better understand how the technology could potentially be used to commit offences.
The investigation comes amid growing international scrutiny of smart glasses over privacy, sexual harassment, workplace surveillance and other potential misuse.
Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, developed with EssilorLuxottica, currently dominate the global market with an estimated 76% share. The devices contain a small embedded camera capable of recording video and sold around seven million units last year. EssilorLuxottica’s latest figures indicate continued “exponential growth” in 2026.
France’s data protection regulator, CNIL, said it had received fewer than 10 complaints involving the use of smart glasses in workplaces. It did not identify the brands concerned.
CNIL also reported an increase in inquiries from companies seeking guidance on whether they are permitted to prohibit employees or visitors from wearing smart glasses at work.
Similar concerns have emerged elsewhere. Some cinemas in the United Kingdom have banned the devices, while a German consumer advocacy organisation has filed a criminal complaint against Meta and other companies involved in their sale in Germany, citing privacy legislation.
Meta said safeguards had been incorporated into the technology from its development stage.
“We have built privacy into our AI glasses from the ground up,” a Meta spokesperson said, adding that the company would “keep strengthening our protections as our glasses become even more capable.”
EssilorLuxottica declined to comment.
The French investigation does not establish wrongdoing by Meta, EssilorLuxottica or any other smart-glasses manufacturer, and prosecutors have not identified the make of the devices involved in the alleged incidents.