Smart glasses raise privacy concerns in Vorarlberg

Smart glasses with artificial intelligence, cameras and voice controls are becoming increasingly common in Vorarlberg, but their recording functions are raising legal and privacy concerns, ORF Vorarlberg reports.

The glasses can answer questions, describe surroundings, translate conversations in real time and take photos or videos. Their cameras are discreetly built into the frames. Users can request information by voice command or by pressing a button. The artificial intelligence can analyse images of buildings, plants or objects and provide relevant information.

The technology may also help people with visual impairments in everyday life. Vorarlberg optician Peter Sutter, who uses smart glasses himself, said the products were developing quickly and could now be fitted with individually tailored lenses.

However, the glasses can also take photos, record videos and livestream. A white flashing light is intended to show people nearby that recording is taking place. Online instructions explain how to disable the light, making recordings less noticeable.

Meta glasses updated in July 2026 deactivate their cameras if the recording LED is covered with stickers, technically altered or destroyed. Photos and videos can then no longer be taken.

Lawyer Christine Knecht-Kleber told ORF Vorarlberg that the legal basis was similar to that applying to smartphones, but that the intervention could be more serious because the cameras were harder to detect. Even the flashing LEDs were often difficult to see in sunlight, she said.

Millions of smart glasses have already been sold worldwide. Videos showing people who did not know they were being recorded are repeatedly posted on social media. Filming other people without their consent or publishing such recordings may violate applicable law.