Texas AG investigates Meta over AI glasses, citing privacy concerns
Texas AG investigates Meta over AI glasses, citing privacy concerns
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/meta-glasses-texas-investigation-5-20-2026/
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 13:56:00
Source Domain: www.cbsnews.com
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says his office is taking a closer look at Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses, saying the new devices could pose privacy risks to Texans.
In a news release shared Wednesday, Paxton notes that Meta Glasses are able to use cameras, speakers, and other components to capture data, including video and audio recordings and peoples’ facial geometry. While the glasses do have a small LED indicator set to activate when they’re recording, Paxton said it’s easily hidden and not active when the glasses are in an “always enabled” mode.
Paxton also said that data annotators working at Sama – a subcontractor that works for Meta – are able to access private information and moments, such as bathroom visits and other intimate moments. Paxton said one Sama employee said faces are not always blurred automatically, even though others have claimed faces are always blurred.
His office also cited recent reports that Meta plans to bring facial recognition to the eyewear. To note, Paxton said his office secured a $1.4 billion settlement with the tech giant for facial recognition used on social media platform Facebook, which Meta owns along with Instagram, Threads, Messenger and WhatsApp.
“I will continue to relentlessly stand up to any company that threatens the privacy and safety of Texans,” Paxton said in a statement. “Meta’s glasses raise serious concerns, and my office will thoroughly investigate these devices to ensure that no individual is being unlawfully recorded, tracked, or subjected to the unauthorized collection of their data.”
CBS News Texas has reached out to Meta for comment.
Similar concerns raised with Google
Privacy concerns over tech-powered eyewear have been raised in the past. In 2013, Google launched Google Glass, which similarly came equipped with a camera for recording video, taking photos and other functions.
While Google Glass saw limited appeal with a hefty price tag and limited applications, similar privacy…
