Delhi Police spotted using Meta AI glasses, fueling privacy concerns
A Delhi Police official seen wearing Meta AI smart glasses during a protest has raised concerns about surveillance and civilian privacy rights in India.
During an October 10 protest in Delhi, a police official was observed wearing Ray-Ban Meta AI smart glasses, which are capable of recording video and audio. This sighting has intensified scrutiny over police surveillance practices and the privacy rights of citizens in India.
A MediaNama journalist reported observing officials using similar smart glasses at separate checkpoints within a 10-minute radius of Connaught Place. While Delhi Police utilize smart glasses from other manufacturers like Ajna Tech for surveillance, the use of Meta's product has drawn specific criticism. The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) stated that such commercially developed wearable technologies pose a threat to the privacy of protesters and civilians exercising their rights.
The core privacy issue revolves around the discreet data-capturing capabilities of smart glasses. Although Meta glasses feature a small indicator light when recording, reports suggest this LED can be obscured or removed, potentially allowing recording without subjects' awareness. Meta claims to have updated the glasses so the camera is disabled if the LED is tampered with, but this does not fully address the fundamental concerns about covert recording.
This incident is not isolated in India. Similar allegations have surfaced during previous protests, and legal challenges have been initiated regarding alleged police surveillance and filming of demonstrators without consent. Reports of comparable uses have also emerged from academic institutions. The situation is further complicated by the impending launch of more affordable smart glasses from other companies in the Indian market.
Indian law offers limited protection against non-consensual filming in public spaces, particularly if the footage is used for harassment. While legal frameworks, such as the IT Rules (2021), aim to address harmful content, the removal process can be lengthy. Internationally, courts in places like New York and across England and Wales have begun barring the use of Meta AI glasses due to covert recording concerns, highlighting a global unease with the technology's privacy implications.