News-August-12-2026
August 12, 2026 — German digital-rights group HateAid filed a criminal complaint against Meta and companies involved in selling Meta AI smart glasses in Germany, alleging that the devices violate German privacy law.[1]
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HateAid files German criminal complaint over Meta AI glasses
HateAid filed a criminal complaint with Frankfurt’s Central Office for Combating Cybercrime against Meta management, EssilorLuxottica units including Ray-Ban, and retailers Fielmann, Apollo-Optik, Mister Spex, and MediaMarkt.[1]
The group alleged that the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer and related devices violate German privacy law because they can record people without sufficient notice.[1] HateAid said its complaint relies on a federal data-protection provision prohibiting the sale of communication devices designed to record people without their knowledge.[1]
Mister Spex said it had not been formally notified of the complaint and that it takes privacy protection seriously; the other named companies and the prosecution office did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.[1]