‘I felt like I'd been tricked’

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-24T09:52:13.119Z • Permanent link

Filmmaker Kaitlyn Dever's recent interview with The New York Times revealed a disturbing trend where women are being secretly filmed by men wearing smart glasses, often without their knowledge or consent. This phenomenon has been observed in the US and is now spreading to France. These individuals, often referred to as "smart glass" operators, are monetizing the footage by uploading it online without permission. The US-based company, Viality Sciences, has been identified as a key player in this market, with its smart glasses capable of capturing high-quality video and audio.

According to reports, Viality Sciences' CEO, John Carpenter, has stated that the company's glasses are designed to capture "interesting" moments in public spaces, with the intention of selling the footage to media outlets and advertisers. However, critics argue that this technology is being exploited to invade women's privacy without their knowledge or consent. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into Viality Sciences, with the aim of determining whether the company is violating consumer protection laws.

French authorities have also taken notice of the trend, with several women coming forward to report being filmed without their consent. The French National Assembly has called for an investigation into the use of smart glasses in public spaces, citing concerns over privacy and data protection. As the trend continues to spread, it remains to be seen how governments and regulatory bodies will respond to this emerging issue.

The implications of this trend are far-reaching, with significant consequences for the Data Sources domain. Companies like Viality Sciences are already generating significant revenue from the sale of this footage, with some reports suggesting that the company is making upwards of $100,000 per month. However, this comes at a cost, as women who are filmed without their consent are left feeling vulnerable and exploited.

Researchers in the field of data science and artificial intelligence are also concerned about the potential for bias and manipulation in this data. The use of smart glasses to capture footage of women in public spaces raises questions about the representation and inclusion of women in data-driven decision-making processes. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and accountability in the data collection and monetization process is a significant concern for policymakers and regulators.

Markets and research communities are also taking notice of the trend, with several experts warning of the potential for this technology to be used for malicious purposes. The use of smart glasses to capture footage of women without their consent raises significant concerns about the potential for stalking, harassment, and other forms of abuse. As a result, researchers and policymakers are calling for greater regulation and oversight of this technology.