Meta is facing fresh scrutiny over its smart glasses after reports linked their use to privacy concerns, labour conditions, and the sudden loss of more than a thousand jobs. What started as a project to improve AI systems has now sparked a debate over how the data behind these devices is collected and handled.
The issue traces back to February, when workers in Kenya, who were employed through outsourcing firm Sama, spoke about the kind of material they were required to review. Their job involved analysing videos and images captured through Meta’s smart glasses to help train AI models. However, an investigation by Swedish publications Svenska Dagbladet and Gteborgs-Posten found that the content often went beyond routine footage. Workers reportedly had to go through highly personal recordings, including people using toilets and engaging in sexual activity.
“We see everything, from living rooms to naked bodies,” one worker said.
In one instance described in a BBC report, a pair of glasses was left recording in a bedroom, later capturing a woman undressing. The workers involved were data annotators, responsible for labelling visuals and reviewing AI responses to ensure accuracy.
Workers’ claims and Meta’s response
At the time, Meta acknowledged that subcontracted workers could review content shared with its AI systems. The company said this was done to improve user experience and that such practices were common, with user consent included in its terms.
Less than two months after these reports surfaced, Meta ended its contract with Sama. The company said the decision was taken because Sama did not meet its standards. Sama has denied this, stating it consistently met all operational, security, and quality requirements and was never informed otherwise.
The termination is said to lead to 1,108 workers losing their jobs.
The timing of the move has raised concerns among worker groups. Naftali Wambalo of the Africa Tech Workers Movement suggested the decision may be linked to employees speaking publicly about their work. “What I think are the standards they are talking about here are standards of secrecy,” he said.
Meta has not directly responded to this allegation. In a statement to the BBC, the company said it had paused work with Sama while reviewing the claims and added, “We take them seriously. Photos and videos are private to users. Humans review AI content to improve product performance, for which we get clear user consent.”
Regulators step in as concerns grow
The controversy has also drawn the attention of regulators. The Information Commissioner’s Office described the reports as “concerning” and contacted Meta. Kenya’s data protection authority has also launched an investigation into the matter.
For your reference, Meta’s smart glasses, developed in partnership with brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, include features such as real-time translation and AI-based assistance for travel. A light indicator is designed to signal when recording is taking place.
However, this is not the first time Meta’s work with Sama has faced criticism. A previous contract involving Facebook content moderation also led to complaints from workers who said they were exposed to disturbing material. Mercy Mutemi of the Oversight Lab said the situation raises concerns about how AI-related work is being structured. “We’ve been told that this is our entry route into the AI ecosystem,” she said. “This is a very flimsy foundation to build your entire industry on.”
