Netherlands considers Meta glasses ban as retailers pause sales

Backlash against Meta glasses is heating up in the Netherlands. At least two Dutch retailers are pausing the sale of the glasses following media reports about privacy concerns, and the government is also getting involved. Hans Anders, a large eyewear chain in the Netherlands, is pausing sales of Meta glasses.

Wehkamp, a Dutch online retailer, is also pausing sales. "This decision follows the ongoing public and political debate surrounding smart glasses and the questions being raised about the conditions under which this technology can be used," a spokesperson for Nexeye, the parent company of Han Anders, told Business Insider. "Hans Anders believes it is important to await the outcome of this debate and any subsequent decisions before determining whether and how these products may be offered again." The sales halt comes after a Dutch newspaper, AD, published a story about people, especially women, being surreptitiously filmed in public.

"Our glasses continue to be very popular and we're continuing to expand styles and features," a Meta spokesperson told Business Insider. "Every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that blinks when you take a photo or video — it can't be turned off and the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with it." The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) recently issued a warning about camera glasses and how they are not always noticeable in public. (The glasses do have an indicator light when recording.) "The AP is also investigating the possibilities for further measures against camera glasses and other wearables with a camera," their statement said. A nonprofit called Offlimits issued a statement urging Meta and EssilorLuxxotica to "remove the controversial Meta glasses from the market as long as they can be used to film covertly." Meta defended its glasses from privacy concerns by pointing to the indicator light and anti-tampering features that are designed to permanently disable recording if the light is physically disabled.

The company's executives have also said smartphones have long been capable of surreptitious filming and do not feature a recording indicator light. In September, Consumentenbond, a Dutch consumer advocacy group, also urged the government to issue a ban on the glasses, citing privacy concerns. In a video from the group, they tested out a new type of sticker that they said successfully circumvents the new software update that prevents filming if the indicator light is covered.

The new sticker lets in outside light from the side, but covers the LED from head-on. However, the Dutch government isn't rushing to enact a ban. In questioning with the Dutch parliament, state secretary for justice Claudia van Bruggen said that only six reports and one complaint about the glasses have been made to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. Van Bruggen said that the European Data Protection Board is planning to publish a report on the glasses later this year, and that "the Cabinet awaits the findings and any recommendations of the EDPB in the report with interest."