**Woman’s Privacy Breached After Being Filmed at Work with Meta Glasses**
In a disturbing incident, a woman has expressed feeling “uneasy” and violated after being secretly filmed at her workplace by an individual wearing Meta’s smart glasses. The incident occurred earlier this year at a Tesco branch in Scotland, where Michelle De Jager was working when approached by two men posing as customers.
More coverage: read the latest report.
Unbeknownst to Michelle, one of the men sported the Meta Glasses, which feature built-in cameras capable of capturing video discreetly. Following their interaction, footage of Michelle was uploaded to social media, garnering nearly five million views and raising serious concerns about privacy in public spaces.
Michelle recounted her experience, stating, “I remember being approached by these two men, who asked me quite odd questions. I had no clue that I was being filmed.” Eyewitnesses later questioned her regarding her lack of awareness about the glasses that captured her without consent, to which she replied, “What glasses?”—indicating her ignorance about the technology’s presence during their encounter.
Describing her feelings after the incident, she noted, “It was an early morning shift, and I hadn’t had the chance to prepare myself. Being posted online without my consent felt incredibly uncomfortable.” She emphasised the importance of respecting individuals’ privacy in their own workplaces and stated, “That’s my workplace—being filmed without consent is simply not acceptable.”
In light of such incidents, several organisations, including CalMac ferries and Comic Con events, have initiated measures to ban the use of these glasses due to escalating privacy and security concerns. Moreover, the Scottish Parliament is under pressure to impose restrictions on smart glasses.
Commenting on the broader implications of such technology, legal experts have warned employers to take proactive steps to protect their staff in compliance with the new Employment Rights Act 2025, which demands strict guidelines concerning harassment in the workplace.
Liam Entwistle, a partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, has emphasised that many employers are unprepared for the swift changes brought about by these emerging technologies. He stated, “Employers must engage in thorough risk assessments and create policies to safeguard their employees.”
In response to the backlash, Meta has reiterated that the glasses are designed with privacy features, including a flashing light to indicate when video recording is in progress, which it claims cannot be disabled.
The incident has sparked a significant discussion on the balance between technological innovation and individual privacy rights, leaving many questioning how these advancements will be regulated in the future.
As society grapples with the ramifications of such technology, it is vital for both individuals and employers to remain vigilant about privacy rights, ensuring that such invasive practices do not become commonplace.