Eyewear chain pulls Meta glasses off Dutch store shelves over social concerns

Hans Anders has suspended the sales of Meta’s AI and camera glasses for an indefinite period, a spokesperson for the optician’s chain has confirmed after a report from the AD. The reason for this is the “public and political discussions about smart glasses” and “the questions about the conditions in which this technology can be used.”

“The glasses are currently not available in our stores or webshop,” the spokesperson stated. Hans Anders wishes to await the discussion and eventual measures taken regarding the glasses before it decides if and how these products can be sold.

Dutch organizations have threatened a lawsuit against the social media company Meta due to the smart glasses. The glasses make it easier to covertly record others and therefore help with privacy violations and transgressive behavior. The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, also wants a concrete ban on these “peeping glasses.”

Hans Anders sold “limited numbers” of the Meta glasses. “It is not the case that everyone has them, or wants to buy them,” the spokesperson of the company added. The glasses that Meta developed together with Ray-Ban cost at least 419 euros, according to Hans Anders website.

It is unclear when or if the glasses will return to the optician chain’s stores. “Once there is more clarity, Hans Anders will once again assess which place this type of product can have within our range.”

The AI glasses are designed to look like regular glasses, but have built-in functions that enable users to take photos and videos hands-free, make calls, or listen to music. A lamp flickers at the front of the glasses when it is recording.