Page 12 - Masala Lite Issue 190 October 2026

12 HOT TOPIC

IS

BIG

BROTHER

WATCHING? GOOGLE x GENTLE MONSTER:

This isn’t the first time Google has tried

Technology these days has made it the smart glasses game. In fact, they
first launched “Glass Explorers” back in

easier for us to spy on one another. 2014. Ironically, they were pulled from
the market after seven months when
UK policymakers cited concerns about
BY THE EDITORIAL TEAM privacy. And then, in 2025, came its
spiritual successor: Android XR. This is a

It seems as though everywhere we go, there is a camera (whether knowingly or collaborative effort between Google and
unknowingly) trained on our every move. It is in the hands of all the wannabe Samsung Electronics that works as an

TikTok vloggers who film their days regardless of follower count, the Twitch extended reality (XR) while relying heavily
streamers, and the Youtubers. That’s not even counting the surveillance of on Google’s Gemini chatbot.

cameras at every street corner. Of course, there is a large difference between Perhaps taking a leaf out of Meta’s
the former and the latter. At least the latter does the job of keeping our streets playbook, these smart glasses are available
safe, of offering evidence in insurance claims, and witnesses in any potential through eyewear brand, and fashion-lover

incidents. In addition to making sure our valuables stay on our persons, now favourite, Gentle Monster and affordable

we have to worry about being the face of public humiliation or discussion on a glasses brand, Warby Parker. There are
corner of the internet we may never see. two types of intelligent wear you can choose from: audio glasses which offer assistance in

Of course, the tech companies have jumped onto this bandwagon wholeheartedly. The your ears or display glasses that provide you with the information you need instantaneously.
recent launch of smart glasses proves this. Now, anyone wearing a pair of glasses could Navigating and staying connected while remaining hands-free has never been easier.
be recording you and all you’d have to know is a flashing white LED light in the corner of All you have to do is say “Hey Google,” to activate Gemini. While it would seem kind of

the frames. Is privacy the newest, most-prized form of luxury? Masala finds out. strange to be talking to air, we can’t deny that real-time translations as we look down

at a menu on a foreign holiday would be incredibly helpful.
META AI GLASSES:
But can you stop someone with nefarious intentions who might snap a picture in secret
and put it through Nano Banana for their own use? Maybe the privacy laws were onto

In summer ’25, tech giant Meta introduced its first wearable, the Meta AI Glasses, a
something the first go-around.

pair of smart frames designed to make AI a constant companion, directly in your line of
sight, because apparently our phones weren’t already close enough to us.
SHOULD YOU BE TAKING PHOTOS OF UNSUSPECTING STRANGERS?
Developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the global eyewear powerhouse behind
brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and Supreme, the glasses are positioned as Saw someone incredibly attractive on the train the other day? Snapped a quick picture to
a new way to experience the world. They can answer questions, pull up sports scores, share to your group chat that you’ve lovingly named something strange? Totally normal,
suggest nearby restaurants, and interpret what you’re looking at, while built-in translation right? Ehh… Yes and no. How would you feel knowing that a random photo of you (perhaps
features can help decipher speech on the spot. Open-ear speakers also allow for calls not looking your best) is circulating as the butt of some joke in some random person’s
without broadcasting your conversation to the entire room. pixelated screen? Even if the intentions seem harmless, like the @hotdudesreading page
on Instagram which catalogues, well, hot dudes reading in different places (as seen

Meta has been steadily expanding its AI glasses universe, from the now-familiar Ray-Ban
below), that is still a stranger you don’t know.
Meta frames to the sportier Oakley Meta ideal for the run-club enthusiast and golfers, and
most recently, its new Meta Glasses, including a slim oval style created with Kylie Jenner. Did you know that phones purchased in Japan and Korea come with a shutter noise when
you take a photo? This sound cannot be muted. It goes to show that while companies
On paper, it sounds sensible. In many ways, it’s a smartwatch, only without the dreaded
cannot control who purchases their devices, they can at least try to limit the nefarious
routine of glancing down at your wrist. Your digital assistant is simply there in your
intentions people use them for.
periphery, hovering between your eyes and the rest of the world. Though, the more
interesting question isn’t what these glasses can do, but how much of our everyday lives
we actually want AI to see and help with in the first place.

This begs the question if Meta and Google should be following suit with similar methods of
safeguarding. As cool as the AI-powered features are, it’s difficult to discern whose hands, or rather

eyes, these devices end up with. In order to prevent any instances of unwarranted photographs or
videos taken without consent (for heaven knows what reason), perhaps adding an extra layer of
precaution like a sound alert that goes off when something or someone is being recorded should

be implemented. Establishments may also consider adding safeguarding measures themselves
for patrons and customers to feel like Big Brother isn’t watching by setting rules against wearing

the specs once entering premises. As more renditions roll out, it will be increasingly difficult to

identify whether someone is wearing the lay pair of glasses, or AI-enhanced lenses.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a pair for yourself, remember: be mindful. Just because these specs
may be helpful for you or add to your swag, it doesn’t mean the people around you feel that same joy.
MASALA LITE ISSUE 190 - OCTOBER 202 6