By Sophia Vry
Walking across campus, people may not even notice others’ eyewear until they spot the tiny camera lenses built into the frames. As Meta smart glasses become more common, Grand Rapids Community College students were asked where hands-free convenience ends and unwanted surveillance begins.
“When I see someone wearing Meta Ray-Bans, my first thought is, ‘Are they recording me, I guess?’” said Lucas Vincent, 20, a business major at GRCC.
Vincent expressed what makes him uncomfortable about smartphones and Meta glasses.
“I draw the line when I know I’m intentionally being recorded on either one,” Vincent said.
Concerns like Vincent’s have fueled the rise of apps like ZuckOff, an app designed to alert users when camera glasses are nearby.
Vincent said that receiving a notification would make him “more on the lookout and watch what I say.”
Even smart glass owners understand the uncertainty.
Carter Moorlag, 20, a culinary arts major, wears Meta glasses, but still supports the detection app.
“I think it’s a good app if people get nervous that they will be recorded,” Moorlag said.
Moorlag explains that his own use of them is completely harmless.
“I bought them to capture firsthand fun and cool moments, but I don’t use them during school,” Moorlag said.
“In places like bathrooms or private conversations, I make sure I’m not recording, or I put them away,” Moorlag said when asked how he makes sure that others aren’t being unknowingly recorded.
When asked if there should be stricter policies on allowing Meta glasses in the classroom, Vincent believes there should be clear rules without reducing people’s freedom of clothing and expression.
“Walking around campus filming doesn’t seem bad, but in actual school there should definitely be policies,” Vincent said. “Professors should have the right to ask students to remove smart glasses at the door if they don’t need them for seeing.”
As wearable hidden technology is growing to be more popular, students believe there should be more restrictions for higher education institutions. Until campus policies can keep up with the ever-changing technology, drawing the line at hands-free convenience and unwanted surveillance is up to individual judgment.
