Meta’s Ray-Ban Glasses Can Dox Strangers in Public
Published On: October 3, 2024
An alarming new development in privacy concerns has surfaced as students from Harvard University have demonstrated the ability to dox strangers using Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses automatically. Two students, AnhPhu Nguyen, and Caine Ardayfio, showcased how facial recognition technology, coupled with artificial intelligence, can be used to harvest personal information in real-time. The duo dubbed their system "I-XRAY," and it allows them to gather detailed information about individuals, all through seemingly innocuous smart glasses equipped with a camera.
The smart glasses, which look almost indistinguishable from regular eyewear, were chosen for their inconspicuous design. These glasses allowed the students to engage with strangers in public while secretly identifying them and uncovering personal data, including names, occupations, and even partial Social Security numbers. According to 404 Media, their system can also compile other personal information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and family member details, from publicly available online sources. All of this happens automatically in the background, raising serious concerns about privacy and safety.
Nguyen and Ardayfio recorded a demo video showing how their setup works. By streaming video from the glasses to Instagram, they enabled a computer program to analyze faces in the footage. Once a face is detected, the I-XRAY system retrieves additional images and public data about the person from the internet. In just minutes, this data is relayed back to a custom mobile app created by the students, allowing them to address strangers by name, discuss their personal lives, and reference locations where they may have previously met.
While facial recognition technology has existed for years, this demonstration shows how integrating it with commercially available, inconspicuous devices like Meta’s smart glasses could further erode personal privacy. Meta has faced scrutiny over potential misuse, as concerns grow about these devices allowing unethical applications of AI. The students have declined to release the code for I-XRAY and have provided resources on how to remove personal information from public databases, offering some defense against this type of invasion of privacy.
This kind of technology isn’t entirely new. Both Meta and Google have had the ability to apply facial recognition to camera feeds for years but have refrained from releasing the technology to the public. However, the ease of accessing these capabilities through commercially available devices like Meta’s smart glasses, which only show a small recording light, makes the potential for abuse even more concerning.
What this means for you
As wearable tech and AI grow more powerful, it’s crucial to consider your own privacy. How much personal information do you share online? If a pair of glasses can gather such intimate details about a stranger, there’s a greater need for everyone to manage their digital footprint. You might consider tools like DeleteMe or Incogni to remove personal details from public databases. Stay informed about how your data is used and remain vigilant about privacy settings on social media and other platforms.