Italian Data Authority Asks For Facebook Clarification About Smart Glasses, Here's Why

Facebook smart glasses, created in partnership with Ray-Ban EssilorLuxottica. (photo: youtube screenshot)

JAKARTA - Italy's data protection authority said on Friday, September 10, that it had asked Facebook to provide clarification on the social media giant's newly launched smart glasses to assess whether the product complies with privacy laws.

The Facebook smart glasses, created in partnership with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica, allow the wearer to listen to music, take calls or take short photos and videos and share them across Facebook services using a companion app. Italian watchdog Garante said it had asked Ireland's data protection commissioner, who leads oversight of Facebook because the social media company's European headquarters are based in Ireland, to seek clarification from Facebook.

Italian authorities say they want to be informed about the steps Facebook has put in place to protect the people it sometimes film, in particular children, as well as on the system it adopted to make the data it collects anonymous and the voice assistant feature that connects to glasses. .

"We know people have questions about new technology, so prior to the launch of Ray-Ban Stories we engaged with DPC Ireland to share how we are building privacy into product design and eyewear functionality to give device owners and those around them peace of mind, " said a Facebook spokesperson in a statement.

"We will be answering questions from Garante via the Irish DPC and we look forward to our continued collaboration with regulators in Europe," the spokesperson added.