Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses are facing global scrutiny over privacy issues, with French prosecutors opening a criminal investigation into suspected sexual harassment involving the devices. According to Reuters, the Paris prosecutor’s office recently opened at least one criminal probe following complaints linked to a social media trend of using smart glasses to film women on the street without their consent and posting the videos online. The development puts Meta’s smart glasses, made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, under the spotlight; Meta holds an estimated 76 per cent market share. The glasses have a small built-in camera for photos and videos, raising questions about whether people nearby know they are being filmed. Reuters reported France’s cybercrime unit tested smart glasses two weeks ago. Meta said it “built privacy into our AI glasses from the ground up” and will keep strengthening protections. France’s CNIL received fewer than 10 complaints about smart glasses in workplaces. Some UK cinemas banned smart glasses, a German consumer advocacy group filed a criminal complaint against Meta and other companies selling the devices in Germany, and Australia is considering restrictions in government workplaces. Under EU rules, smart glasses can fall under the GDPR and AI Act; French privacy law provides penalties for recording someone in a private place without consent.