They go by many names such as "Bond glasses," "covert surveillance glasses," "hidden camera glasses," "security video glasses," "personal imaging systems," "spy glasses," and now, "smart glasses." These glasses have changed over the years but the one thing they all have in common is a built-in camera and the ability to invade your privacy without your knowledge or consent.
What are they?
Spy glasses
When the intent in the spy industry is to sell "spy glasses," we get a detailed description of the possibilities. Spy glasses are glasses that have a camera built into them, according to SpyProWorld.com:
"Glasses with a camera, also known as spy glasses, are a great example of modern spy technology that enables discreet video and audio recording in everyday life. These camera glasses are designed to look like ordinary sunglasses or optical glasses, but inside the frame is a high-quality hidden camera capable of discreetly capturing all important moments. Spy glasses are ideal for those who need to record in various situations without drawing attention. Whether it’s business meetings, conversations or informal scenarios, these glasses with a camera let you collect evidence or document key events. Thanks to advanced spy technology, they provide high-quality video and audio, ensuring accurate recordings. Camera glasses are extremely practical, comfortable and easy to use, combining cutting-edge tech with a casual appearance. These spy glasses give you full control over what you record, while maintaining complete anonymity and discretion in any situation. Invest in spy glasses and use them for monitoring and protection, whether in private life or at the workplace."
The history of glasses with hidden cameras is a modern one, made possible by the miniaturization of camera technology in the mid-to-late 20th century. The concept moved from the realm of fiction to reality, initially for intelligence agencies and later for consumer use.
Smart glasses
When the intent is to sell "smart glasses," which offer similar capabilities, we get a brief description that promotes multifunction; however, the potential for the invasion of privacy remains. Smart glasses are glasses that have a camera built into them, and more, according to spy.com:
"Smart glasses transform traditional eyewear into multifunctional smart devices, enabling activities such as music playback, photography and gaming."
It's been suggested that early incarnations of smart glasses earned a reputation for making anyone who wears them look ridiculous. A person wearing them could hardly go unnoticed. They have since evolved and come in various styles and are hardly noticeable. It’s unlikely anyone would even realize you were wearing them. Smart glasses come with high-quality speakers and camera that allows the wearer to take photos, record videos and even live-stream on social media.
Timeline of spy glasses available for consumers
- Early 2000s: Spy camera glasses evolved from a sci-fi fantasy into a commercial product. While early versions were limited in quality and battery life, they demonstrated the viability of the technology.
- (2014) Google Glass: Originally launched as a prototype of smart glasses, Google Glass was discontinued in 2015 after a negative reception from consumers. At the time, Arapahoe Libraries offered Google Glass at technology demonstrations for patrons along with robots that were available for check out.
- (2021) Ray-Ban Stories: Meta (then Facebook) partnered with Ray-Ban to release smart glasses with integrated cameras. While marketed for sharing "first-person" perspectives, these glasses raised significant privacy concerns because they could be used to record people discreetly.
- (Present) AI-powered glasses: Today's technology, like that demonstrated by Harvard students in 2024, can turn smart glasses into powerful facial recognition devices. Using AI, these glasses can identify individuals and instantly access their personal information by cross-referencing online databases.
Concerns about privacy
- Ethical dilemma: The technology allows for easy, discreet recording, which could be valuable for law enforcement, but also presents risks for surreptitious recording and stalking.
- Legal implications: The use of hidden camera glasses is a legally gray area. Laws regarding consent for recording vary significantly by jurisdiction, and the use of these devices often tests the limits of privacy laws, opens a new window.
- Balancing privacy and functionality: Some companies attempt to balance functionality with privacy by incorporating a blinking LED to indicate to others that you are recording or taking photos and to ensure privacy and prevent misuse of the technology. However, a quick internet search provides a decent number of sites offering instructions on how to stop the LED light from being on or how to cover it without disrupting recording.
Benefits of using smart glasses
Used responsibly, smart glasses can offer a wide range of benefits:
- Many smart glasses (especially AR-enabled ones) can show directions, notifications, translations and work instructions in your field of view. This can reduce distractions and speeds up tasks.
- Manufacturing, logistics, medicine, and field services use smart glasses to:
- display repair instructions
- show real-time data
- allow remote experts to “see what you see”
- reduce errors by providing step-by-step overlays
- Smart glasses can support people with disabilities by offering features such as:
- real-time captions for the hearing-impaired
- AI-powered object recognition
- verbal or visual navigation for people with low vision
- live translation
- Smart glasses let you access information, navigate, or communicate without needing to hold a phone or device. This is especially useful for people who need both hands free.
Final thoughts
The evolution of eyewear with built-in cameras, from spy devices to today’s nearly indistinguishable smart glasses, has created a powerful blend of convenience, capability and controversy. While these devices can enhance productivity, accessibility and everyday efficiency, they also introduce profound ethical and legal challenges. The same features that make them useful can easily be misused for hidden surveillance, identity tracking, or invasion of privacy. As the technology continues to advance, society is left to navigate a delicate balance: embracing innovation while safeguarding personal boundaries, transparency and consent. Ultimately, the future of "glasses with a camera" depends not only on how they are designed, but on how responsibly we choose to use them.
Want to know more about privacy in relation to technology? Check out these titles:
Supersight : what augmented reality means for our lives, our work, and the way we imagine the future
Surveillance and your Right to Privacy
Technocreep : the surrender of privacy and the capitalization of intimacy
Explore more
Looking for peer-reviewed or scholarly articles? Here are some articles you can find on the Academic Search Complete database. Use your library card to access the database and then search by article title.
- Smart-Glasses: Exposing and Elucidating the Ethical Issues.
- Touchless Interaction for Smart Glasses in Emergency Medical Services: User Needs and Experiences.
- Are Smart Glasses The Next Disruption Tech?
- The future of smart glasses comes into focus.
- Smart Glasses for Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review.
- Smart glasses' appeal comes into focus at CES 2025.
- These AI Smart Glasses Are Always Recording: Risks & Benefits.
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I may have been wrong about smart glasses.
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