US Police Warn Meta Smart Glasses Could Be a Security Threat
U.S. law enforcement is raising alarms over Meta's smart glasses, which could secretly capture footage in correctional and police settings, potentially facilitating criminal acts or terrorism. Memos from police, acquired by Property of the People and shared by The Guardian, highlight these worries. A memo from January issued by the NYPD's counterterrorism division recommended checking eyewear in inmate cells due to the threat posed by recording devices. A TikTok clip from July 2025 displayed the inside of a detention facility in South Carolina. Dubbed 'Pervert Glasses,' Meta's eyewear looks like regular sunglasses and features a small blinking light to signal recording. The Department of Homeland Security and several states have also issued warnings. Ryan Shapiro from Property of the People criticized the police for advocating one-sided surveillance. These devices were created by Kylie Jenner as part of Meta's Starfire AI collection.
Key facts
- U.S. police forces warn Meta smart glasses could be used for covert recording in jails and police facilities.
- NYPD counterterrorism memo from January instructed officers to inspect eyewear in inmate cells.
- A TikTok video from July 2025 showed the interior of a South Carolina detention center under federal investigation.
- Meta smart glasses are often called 'Pervert Glasses' and resemble ordinary Ray-Ban or Oakley sunglasses.
- The glasses have a small blinking light when recording, but can slip through security checks.
- Warnings issued by Department of Homeland Security and fusion centers in multiple states.
- Maine bulletin noted AI software in glasses could enable facial recognition and doxxing of officers.
- Ryan Shapiro of Property of the People criticized police objections as protecting one-way surveillance.
- The glasses are designed by Kylie Jenner and part of Meta's Starfire AI line.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Meta
- New York Police Department
- Department of Homeland Security
- Property of the People
- The Guardian
- PetaPixel
Locations
- United States
- New York
- Maine
- Virginia
- Tennessee
- San Diego
- South Carolina