Man caught using Meta smart glasses to secretly record female students at US university

Meta glasses

Students at the University of San Francisco (USF) have been put on alert after reports emerged that a man was using Meta’s AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses to secretly record female students.

The university issued a campuswide safety warning after multiple students said the man approached them with “unwanted comments and inappropriate dating questions.” He was reportedly wearing the smart glasses while speaking to women, raising concerns that he may have been filming them without their consent.

Officials fear that some of these recordings may have been shared on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While no threats or physical violence have been reported, the school admitted it has not yet identified all of the students who may appear in the videos.

USF’s Department of Public Safety has urged anyone who believes they were filmed, or who sees the videos online, to report the content both to the platform and to campus authorities. “As a community, we share the responsibility of caring for ourselves, each other, and this place,” the university said in its alert. “By looking out for one another and promptly reporting concerns, we help ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.”

Requests for comment sent to Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, went unanswered.

Meta launched the latest version of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in September, though the launch was overshadowed by technical issues during live demonstrations. The glasses come with a built-in camera that can be activated either by pressing a button or using voice commands, allowing wearers to capture photos, videos, and even livestreams.

While the company encourages creativity and convenience through the product, Meta has also advised users to be mindful of privacy concerns. Its guidelines state: “Not everyone loves being photographed. Stop recording if anyone expresses that they would rather opt out, and be particularly mindful of others before going live.”

The USF case highlights growing worries around wearable tech and privacy, especially in public or sensitive spaces like university campuses. With devices becoming smaller and less noticeable, the challenge of balancing innovation with safety and consent is only expected to intensify.

For now, university officials are urging students to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activity, as investigations into the man’s behavior continue.