Metas AI glasses accused in California lawsuit of secretly capturing sex, nudity and bathroom footage
Meta’s push to bring artificial intelligence into everyday eyewear is facing growing legal scrutiny — with dozens of people alleging the company’s smart glasses captured private moments that were later viewed by overseas workers helping train its AI systems.More than 70 people who purchased, used or were recorded by Meta’s smart glasses are suing the company, alleging sensitive photos and videos were sent to contractors in Kenya who review and label data used to improve Meta’s artificial intelligence.The plaintiffs, including some in California, say the footage captured people undressing, using the bathroom, having sex and entering passwords, according to a proposed class-action lawsuit amended in late August.Some allege they did not know the glasses were recording.One California plaintiff, identified as PL18, said he discovered images of relatives bathing and using the bathroom in his photo gallery after leaving his glasses on a bathroom counter.“He noticed that at times photos of his family members using the bathroom and bathing began appearing in his gallery — footage no one in his household intended to take,” the lawsuit alleges.The legal challenge comes as Meta prepares to unveil its latest wearable devices at its developers conference in Menlo Park on Sept.
23.The company markets its smart glasses as a hands-free way to take photos and videos, make calls, listen to audio and interact with Meta AI.Tina Wolfson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told the Los Angeles Times the case also concerns people who may never have agreed to be recorded or have their images used to develop AI.“People who bought these glasses and thought that they were cool gadgets weren’t aware that every time they activated AI, video was sent to train Meta’s AI,” Wolfson said.Meta disputes the allegations and says it plans to fight the lawsuit.
A company spokesperson told the Times that when people use Meta AI, some data may be reviewed to improve its produ...