Women secretly filmed through camera glasses, private footage leaked
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): While technology has made everyday life easier, many new features are now also becoming a cause of fear and insecurity. Similarly, smart glasses, which were developed for hands-free photo taking, instant translation and voice assistant features, are now emerging as a serious threat to people's privacy. These devices are becoming a cause of new concern, especially for women. Cases of recording videos without knowledge, uploading them on social media and online harassment are increasing rapidly across the world.
Smart glasses, which are worn as a disguised recording style and gadget hobby, are becoming a source of trouble for many women. According to reports, some people, posing as "pick-up artists," converse with women and secretly record videos during the conversation. These videos are then posted as content on social media, where women are targeted with offensive comments and hashtags.
Many women say they've been unintentionally filmed by men wearing smartglasses at bus stops, beaches, streets, or other public places. They don't even realize it until the video surfaces on social media.
Illegal use and weak punishment
A similar case emerged last month in England, where a woman filed a lawsuit against a 47-year-old man. She alleged that the accused secretly recorded their private moments in a hotel using smart glasses and later sent the videos to her. The woman had neither given permission nor was aware of this. Surprisingly, the court did not send the accused to jail. This case is not an isolated one. Many such cases are emerging, highlighting the weaknesses in the law regarding women's privacy and safety.
Private moments reaching social media
A similar incident occurred in the United States, where a woman was seen breaking down in tears on social media. The woman later discovered that a man she was talking to in a supermarket had recorded her without her permission. During the lighthearted conversation and compliment, the woman had no idea the camera was on. The video was later uploaded to social media.
Increasing privacy threats in public places:
In most countries, recording videos in public places is not considered illegal. Mobile phone cameras are clearly visible, which can alert the person watching. However, smart glasses have cameras hidden within the glasses, making it difficult to discern whether someone is recording.
Laws still lag behind technology. Privacy laws differ between the US and the UK. In many places, videotaping in a public space without permission is not a crime, unless it involves audio recording or a private space.
India also lacks clear laws regarding smart glasses. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act does not mandate that recordings be made in public places. Nor is there any provision for individuals to know that their video has been recorded or to request its deletion.
The challenge ahead:
Does this clearly mean that anyone can be recorded in places like cafes, metro stations, parks, or temples without even realizing it? Tech companies may advise users to stop recording if they object, but this is merely a suggestion, not a legal obligation.
At present, there seems to be no easy solution to completely protect women's privacy. In such a situation, awareness and vigilance are the best defenses. Experts say that recognizing smart glasses and understanding their uses is now the need of the hour.