‘I’ve definitely lost followers’: influencers face backlash over Meta ‘pervert glasses’ content
Content creators are facing significant backlash for promoting Meta’s smartglasses, which critics have labeled 'pervert glasses' due to privacy and surveillance concerns. Influencers are now dealing with negative comments and lost followers, with some issuing apologies for participating in marketing campaigns for the wearable tech.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the growing public anxiety regarding wearable surveillance technology and the ethical responsibilities of influencers in the digital age.
Meta’s tech has prompted concerns about privacy and surveillance. Meta’s tech has prompted concerns about privacy and surveillance. Meta ‘I’ve definitely lost followers’: influencers face backlash over Meta ‘pervert glasses’ content Using ‘spy glasses’ made by Facebook owner leads to floods of negative comments, say content creators
Sammy Gecsoyler Sun 9 Aug 2026 09.37 EDT Last modified on Sun 9 Aug 2026 21.30 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google I t was hardly an offensive video. Amid the buzz of the Tour de France finale, Oliver Hooson filmed himself whipping up a delicious-looking flat white for a fellow cycling enthusiast. But after posting the footage on social media, the comments that soon rolled in were a real shock. “PERV,” read one. “Out here pushing creep glasses,” said another. His mistake? Documenting the moment with Meta’s “spy glasses”.
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