Lenskart's AI self-eye tests raise privacy concerns
Eyewear company Lenskart has begun piloting AI-enabled self-eye tests in select stores. The rollout, which utilizes extensive eye test data, has raised questions regarding privacy and data security.
Eyewear startup Lenskart has initiated a pilot program for AI-enabled self-eye tests at select retail locations. The company's founder and CEO, Peyush Bansal, announced the feature during the company's first-quarter earnings call, sparking discussions about privacy and data protection.
Lenskart states the AI testing is built upon one of India's largest recorded datasets of eye tests. The company already offers remote eye testing services, which have expanded to hundreds of stores and are available in over 1,200 postal code areas. Lenskart utilizes Tango Eye, an AI computer vision firm acquired in 2023, to monitor these remote tests via CCTV.
Beyond eye tests, Lenskart is also collecting facial recognition data from millions of users, feeding this information into AI models for lens design. This practice raises concerns about user consent for using biometric data to train AI systems, particularly under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA).
The DPDPA mandates that data processing must strictly adhere to the purpose for which consent was obtained. While Lenskart's privacy policy indicates facial data is retained for five years, critics highlight that biometric data, unlike passwords or credit card details, cannot be easily revoked if compromised, increasing the risk of identity theft and fraud.
Lenskart has also commenced shipping its AI-powered smart glasses to customers. These devices are capable of capturing audio and video and include an LED indicator to signal recording. This launch occurs amid scrutiny of rival Meta's similar smart glasses, which have faced criticism for alleged privacy violations and covert recording. The privacy concerns associated with Meta's glasses are considered applicable to Lenskart's offerings as well.