By Basant El-Faramawy
UK lawmakers have warned that smart glasses are being used to film women and girls without consent, with the footage posted online for profit, describing the phenomenon as "monetised misogyny."
Parliamentary debate highlights legal gaps
During a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman said social media creators are receiving millions of views and profiting from non-consensual filming. She argued that UK harassment law requires a victim to be targeted repeatedly, allowing offenders to exploit multiple women without legal consequence. "This disgusting behaviour is not only legal, but profitable. It is monetised misogyny, plain and simple," Goldman said.
Government reviewing restrictions
Labour's Satvir Kaur responded that ministers are reviewing options to restrict smart glasses "in certain settings" and limit their sale to "certain users." She said the work is proceeding "at pace" and that NHS England and the Department for Education are examining wearable technology in specific contexts. Kaur also noted that "appropriate next steps" are being considered regarding the use of smart glasses within parliament itself.
Campaigners raise safety concerns
The debate was introduced by Anna Sabine MP, who said smart glasses can "erode safety and privacy in public spaces" and disproportionately impact women and girls. She acknowledged benefits for blind and partially sighted people and said she is in discussions with the Royal National Institute for the Blind, which shares concerns about misuse. Domestic abuse charity Refuge has warned the glasses "threaten the safety of all women and girls in public, facilitating harassment, surveillance and other abuse."
Police investigation collapsed over legislation limits
Greater Manchester Police previously arrested a 27-year-old man from Bradford on suspicion of voyeurism and harassment after reports of women being followed and filmed in Manchester city centre. In January, the force said it was considering civil action after the criminal investigation collapsed due to "limits within the current legislation," including the requirement for repeated targeting of the same individual.
