Cork senator wants limitations on use of 'smart glasses'

The use of smart glasses and wearable recording devices should be limited to protect privacy and reflect informed consent, a Cork senator has said.

Raising the issue at an Oireachtas Committee on AI on Tuesday, senator Laura Harmon said regulation must work to keep pace with evolving technologies. 

It comes in the wake of multiple incidents in Cork involving a 21-year-old man, Vladyslav Morhulets, known better as Rendy_Vlad, who has made a name for himself in recent months for filming people without their knowledge or consent and posting edited versions of the content across his various social media platforms, some of which have over 1m followers. 

It was reported in April that the software development student at Munster Technological University (MTU) had filmed a young 

woman during a medical emergency using Meta Ray-Ban glasses, which was subsequently removed by TikTok for violating its policies around adult sexual abuse. The video remains online on Meta platforms, with the tech giant saying that it did not violate its terms of service.  

While they resemble standard Ray-Ban eyewear, the glasses Vladyslav films with include built-in Meta technology that allows users to take photos and videos hands-free.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian-born student was involved in an incident at Gino's Gelato in Cork City, where he filmed himself attempting to enter the store, despite employees repeatedly telling him that it was closed. He was asked to leave several times, but continued to re-enter the premises, resulting in an argument with the staff.

The interaction led to a spatula being thrown at Mr Morhulets by a Gino's staff member, with Gardaí saying enquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Other videos captured by the MTU student using Meta Ray-Ban glasses included that of a young woman, Willow Esteve, at her workplace in the city centre, who was filmed without her knowledge or consent. Multiple other videos following a similar format have also been posted on his social media channels, many of which include young women and store workers.

"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," said Ms Harmon, who is a member of the AI Committee.

"Representatives from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties told me that AI glasses are “creepy” and have no place in Ireland.

"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."

The glasses, which are made by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, have raised concerns among regulators, with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission and its Italian counterpart questioning how people captured in images or videos are notified that a recording is taking place.

The eyewear includes an LED light designed to activate when recording. Meta has said this indicator is intended to signal when content is being captured. However, Ireland’s data protection watchdog has said it has not been demonstrated that comprehensive field testing was carried out by Meta or Ray-Ban to confirm the LED is an effective form of notice.

Multiple people filmed by Mr Morhulets have also told The Echo that there was no indication on his glasses that they were being filmed.

"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," Ms Harmon added.

"We must have other means of protecting people from nonconsensual filming."

“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," Ms Harmon said.

Separately, Labour councillor Ciara O'Connor has submitted a motion calling for Cork City Council to write to the Minister for Justice, the DPC, the Oireachtas AI Committee, and other relevant national and EU regulatory bodies calling for an urgent review of the regulation of AI-enabled smart glasses and wearable surveillance technology, including devices such as Meta Ray-Ban glasses.

"We are already seeing growing concern here in Cork around AI-enabled smart glasses and wearable surveillance technology, particularly from women, retail workers, and people in public-facing roles who are worried about being recorded without their knowledge or consent," said Ms O'Connor.

“It’s an issue I have now brought forward in a motion to Cork City Council, as technology is moving far faster than regulation and we urgently need stronger safeguards around privacy, consent, and public safety."