‘I’ve definitely lost followers’: influencers face backlash over Meta ‘pervert glasses’ content

Smart Glasses Under Fire: Content Creators Navigate Public Backlash Over Privacy Concerns

Wanderstayfinder.com – Oliver Hooson thought he was capturing something ordinary. During the excitement of the Tour de France conclusion, the cycling enthusiast recorded himself preparing a creamy flat white coffee for a fellow rider. The video seemed harmless enough—nothing that would provoke outrage. Yet when he shared it online, the response was swift and unforgiving. One viewer labeled him a “PERV.” Another dismissed him as someone “pushing creep glasses.” The culprit? Meta’s newest wearable technology, which Hooson had been eager to showcase.

The Rise and Fall of a Trendy Gadget

Meta’s smart glasses arrived with considerable fanfare, positioned as the essential accessory for the modern digital native. Capable of recording video while worn, these sleek frames promised a new way to document daily life from a first-person perspective. Celebrities and influencers quickly embraced them, with Kylie Jenner’s collaboration with Meta serving as a catalyst for widespread adoption. Suddenly, everyone from lifestyle bloggers to fitness enthusiasts was sporting the Kardashian-approved eyewear.

But the honeymoon period proved short-lived. As more people began wearing the glasses in public spaces, concerns emerged about covert recording. The technology, designed to capture personal moments, became associated with something far more intrusive. Social media users began dubbing them “pervert glasses,” a label that stuck despite the innocent intentions of many early adopters.

Content Creators Face Apology Tours

The backlash has been particularly harsh on content creators who promoted the glasses as part of brand partnerships. Rida Tharana, an Instagram personality with 1.6 million followers, publicly acknowledged her mistake in supporting the Meta campaign. She specifically criticized men who use the technology to record and harass women without permission.

Hooson found himself in a similar position. While he appreciated the criticism, he admitted the comments initially caught him off guard. “It was a real ignorant move,” he reflected, acknowledging that the glasses have become symbols of unwanted surveillance. He expressed particular frustration that women are disproportionately affected by the technology’s misuse.

“Funnily enough, my wife predicted it. She was going to post a banterous comment in a similar tone to the others but she didn’t press send.”

Personal Cost of Public Perception

The consequences for Hooson extended beyond online comments. The cycling and home design enthusiast, who shares his content with 224,000 Instagram followers, reported losing between 50 and 100 followers after posting his video. Rather than resenting the loss, he viewed it as a positive outcome.

Hooson described the “pervert glasses” label as a collective defense mechanism—a way for society to push back against invasive technology. “If everybody gets round that they are pervert glasses, which evidently they have, then it’s a really easy way of limiting sales and the usage of them,” he explained. He emphasized that people deserve more privacy, not less, in an increasingly connected world.

“I saw [chefs at] high-end restaurants filming themselves with the glasses on, showing off their process. It was stupid, poetic and beautiful to watch. I wanted to have a play about and show people the things that I enjoy doing.”

Real Incidents Fuel Public Outcry

The backlash isn’t merely theoretical. Multiple documented cases have strengthened public concerns about the technology. One woman reported to the BBC that a man recorded her in public and subsequently demanded payment to remove the footage from social media platforms. Another woman described being captured on camera during intimate moments without her knowledge or consent.

More serious incidents have also emerged. Scottish police launched an investigation into a far-right TikToker who allegedly filmed himself making sexualized comments to young women and discussing plans to “breed out the white race” with a Sikh shopkeeper—neither of whom were aware they were being recorded.

Industry Response and Consumer Choice

Despite the negative publicity, the glasses achieved commercial success, selling seven million pairs in 2025 alone. Meta has pointed to a small LED light on the frames as evidence that users are notified when recording is active. However, critics argue this indicator is insufficient, particularly given the numerous complaints about being filmed without prior awareness.

The backlash has even reached physical venues. Restaurants, theaters, and pubs across the United Kingdom—including the Wetherspoons chain—have implemented bans on the Meta glasses, prioritizing customer privacy over technological novelty.

For Hooson, the decision was straightforward. When asked whether he would keep the glasses for the occasional point-of-view shot, his answer was definitive. “Would I rather just not have that little fun point-of-view shot for the greater good? Yes, I would definitely get rid of them.”

The story of Meta’s smart glasses reflects a broader tension in modern society: the balance between embracing new technology and protecting individual privacy. As wearable devices become increasingly sophisticated, consumers and businesses alike must navigate a landscape where innovation and privacy rights are not always aligned.