Blind Users Fear Backlash Over Meta Smart Glasses as Venues Ban Wearable Cameras
Fraser Fleming, a 44-year-old man from Motherwell who is registered blind, has been utilizing AI-driven Meta smart glasses for navigation and reading for the past two years. However, he now feels reluctant to wear them in public due to the derogatory label "pervert glasses," which has emerged from incidents of hidden filming and harassment. Tracey Rogerson, another user, voiced her disbelief at this label, highlighting the glasses' role in fostering independence. Since their launch in 2021, Meta has sold approximately two million pairs, with some events like ComicCon Scotland implementing bans due to public backlash. Monopoly Events has prohibited Meta glasses to avoid secret filming, while advocates like Teah Pearn call for exceptions for those with disabilities.
Key facts
- Fraser Fleming, 44, from Motherwell, is registered blind and uses AI-powered Meta smart glasses daily.
- Fleming says the glasses help him navigate public transport, read street signs and order from menus.
- The glasses have been labelled "pervert glasses" over reports of covert filming and harassment.
- Tracey Rogerson says the technology is a big part of maintaining her independence.
- Meta started selling smart glasses in 2021 and has sold about two million pairs since February last year.
- ComicCon Scotland in Edinburgh later this month has banned or restricted the glasses.
- Gordon Brown, who is severely sight-impaired from Inverkip, will not attend ComicCon Scotland this year due to the ban.
- Monopoly Events announced in July a ban on Meta glasses and other wearable recording devices.
- Cosplay artist Teah Pearn, known as Spill The Tea with 1.9 million TikTok followers, was secretly filmed at a Birmingham comic convention.
- Meta says a light on the frames indicates recording and the camera is disabled if tampered with.
Entities
Artists
- Fraser Fleming
- Tracey Rogerson
- Gordon Brown
- Teah Pearn
Institutions
- Meta
- BBC
- ComicCon Scotland
- Monopoly Events
- TikTok
Locations
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- Motherwell
- Edinburgh
- Inverkip
- Birmingham
- London
- United Kingdom