It follows a number of high-profile incidents here in Cork
19:34, 19 May 2026Updated 19:39, 19 May 2026
A pair of Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer AI glasses on display(Image: Bloomberg Finance LP/Getty Images)
A Cork senator has called for tighter regulations surrounding the use of AI glasses, which can be used to secretly film people without their consent. At a glance, the glasses look entirely ordinary, and it’s easy to miss the tiny cameras built into the frame.
The use of these glasses in Ireland has sparked debate in recent weeks, following a number of incidents in which members of the public and shop staff were unknowingly filmed, with edited clips later being posted on social media.
Senator Laura Harmon highlighted how cameras have been used to film women in their workplaces and during medical emergencies, and called for robust regulation in response to the rapidly evolving tech. Representatives from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties have described the glasses as ‘creepy.’
The glasses come with a small LED light that turns on when recording. However, Senator Harmon questioned its effectiveness as a means of informing others about the live recording.
These concerns were raised during a session of the Oireachtas Committee on AI today, during which representatives heard from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and the Children’s Rights Alliance.
Senator Harmon, who is a member of the AI Committee said: “I raised the issue of nonconsensual filming and privacy around rapidly changing technology after hearing reports this week in Cork that women have been filmed in their workplaces and during medical emergencies. Regulation must work to keep pace with evolving technologies. These wearable recording devices and any others that follow must be limited to protect privacy and reflect informed consent above all else.
“Representatives from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties told me that AI glasses are “creepy” and have no place in Ireland. Ms Cronin highlighted the use of these glasses in other jurisdictions being coupled with facial recognition as ‘deeply problematic’.
Concerns were also raised about the technology’s potential impact on children.
“AI-enabled glasses are a worry in relation to protecting children too. Snapchat are releasing see-through smart glasses this year. This is a platform that appeals to very young children, and we must be prepared for the rollout of this product and others with appropriate regulation,” Senator Harmon continued.
“While smart glasses have important uses in aiding those with vision loss and similar conditions, it is vital that we regulate the use of AI glasses for recreational filming to protect privacy in Ireland. We know too that Ireland’s data protection watchdog said proper field testing was not carried out by Meta or Ray-Ban on their glasses to ensure their LED works as an effective notice of the device filming. We must have other means of protecting people from nonconsensual filming.”