Hundreds of Dutch women, girls filmed with Meta glasses on creep sites; Lawsuit planned

In recent months, hundreds, maybe even thousands, of Dutch women and girls have been secretly filmed using Meta’s AI camera glasses. Footage of unsuspecting victims on beaches, shopping streets, or in the bathroom circulates on Telegram groups and “creepshot” websites and platforms. Offlimits, an organization that fights against online sexual abuse, is working on a lawsuit. Other Dutch organizations are also taking measures.

Meta’s camera glasses were popular immediately upon launch. Millions have been sold worldwide, including thousands in the Netherlands. They look like regular glasses. The only indication that the glasses are filming is a small white light that can be covered by a sticker.

Offlimits’ helpline has received many reports from victims secretly filmed with Meta glasses. “These voyeuristic glasses are a recipe for trouble. We are drawing a line here. Concealing a camera in an everyday object facilitates online abusive behavior. Victims of these glasses are already reaching out to our helpline,” CEO Robert Hoving said.

“To prevent further victimization, we want to ensure that such images cannot be captured in the first place. Everyone—including the ‘tech bros’—has a responsibility to keep the internet free and safe. That requires Meta to stop offering these glasses,” Hoving said.

Working with the Firewall Foundation, Offlimits has demanded that Meta stop selling the camera glasses and stop processing footage made with them without the explicit consent of the people in the footage. If Meta does not agree to these demands, a lawsuit will follow.

“The Meta glasses harm individuals filmed without consent and represent a new step toward normalizing surveillance by big tech companies,” said Eric Smit, chair of the Firewall Foundation. “As such, the glasses pose a threat to the democratic rule of law. We must all be able to demonstrate, vote, or otherwise exercise our fundamental democratic rights freely.”

Inquiries by the newspaper AD showed that various Dutch organizations and companies are already taking action against these glasses. Multiple music venues and festivals have already blacklisted these glasses. Sauna operators are following suit, and the trade association KHN is advising hotels and cafes to tighten their house rules.

The sports world is also concerned, especially about athletes in the changing rooms. “We consider these glasses to pose a realistic risk in the sports environment,” a spokesperson for the Dutch sports organization NOC*NSF told the newspaper. The organization is in talks with sports federations about measures.

The Dutch football association KNVB is considering banning the glasses. Athletes must be able to trust that their privacy is respected, particularly in changing rooms and showers, a spokesperson said. “We share concerns regarding covert recording.”

Wehkamp has sold Meta glasses in recent months, but told AD that it is discontinuing sales because “consumer privacy and safety always come first.”

Bol.com is still considering the matter. “We understand there are concerns regarding the potential use of this type of technology,” a spokesperson said, but added that this does not automatically lead to a ban. Other retailers of the glasses - Pearle Opticiens, Hans Anders, and De Bijenkorf - did not respond to the newspaper’s inquiries.

State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen of Justice and Security told AD that she understands the concerns about these glasses, but she is not considering a ban. "The use of camera glasses is not inherently undesirable. What matters most is taking action against the misuse of the glasses."