Attacker Used Meta‘s smart glasses to scout New Orleans French Quarter Before NYE Rampage
NUEVA ORLEANS, Louisiana — The man who drove a vehicle through Bourbon Street on New Year’s Eve had previously donned Meta’s smart glasses to scout the scene, according to the FBI. Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect, had been staying in a rented house in New Orleans since late October, using the smart glasses to record videos while riding a bicycle through the French Quarter, said Lyonel Myrthil, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans office.
Jabbar, who was equipped with Meta’s smart glasses, carried out the attack on Bourbon Street without activating the live transmission feature on New Year’s Eve, Myrthil disclosed during a press conference on Sunday. The misuse of technology, in this case, has raised concerns about the potential risks associated with these devices.
Meta introduced its smart glasses, Ray-Ban Stories, in collaboration with Ray-Ban back in 2021. Priced up to $379, these sunglasses can take photos, use AI to answer users’ surroundings-related queries, and have a small LED light that blinks white when the camera is in use. The company also provides a voice control feature that allows users to snap photos or record videos hands-free by saying, "Hey Meta."
Among other features, the glasses can also shoot live videos on the user’s Facebook or Instagram accounts once connected to the Meta View app. Users can switch between cameras by double-pressing the photo capture button. However, they can only use voice controls in select countries and only when speaking English.
In the French Quarter attack, Jabbar did not actively use these features, but the mere possibility raises questions about the potential dangers of such devices falling into the wrong hands. The suspect was able to case the area unnoticed, potentially planning his attack in secret.
Meta’s smart glasses have faced criticism in the past for potential privacy invasion, with people worrying about being recorded without their knowledge. In response, Meta has included a notification LED to inform others when the glasses are in use. However, the company’s guidelines for responsible use ultimately rely on users to respect others’ privacy and follow the law.
As the race to develop augmented reality (AR) devices intensifies, episodes like the New Orleans incident serve as reminders of the delicate balance between technological convenience and public safety. Meta, not to be left behind, has recently unveiled its new AR glasses, Orion, promising users holographic messages and emails floating in their field of vision.
The French Quarter attack underscores the urgent need for clear guidelines and responsible use of emerging technologies. As we advance into this brave new world, it is crucial for companies and users alike to prioritize safety and ethical considerations.
