Women on London Tube face new risk from Meta glasses, campaigners warn
Campaigners argue the AI‑enabled spectacles could increase harassment, while TfL says it will not ban devices and Meta says a recording LED flashes when in use.
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Campaigners have asked London’s transport authority to prohibit the sale and use of Meta’s AI‑enabled smart glasses on the Underground after warning that the devices could heighten harassment of women and girls, as reported by the Standard. TfL responded that it does not plan to limit any equipment on its network.
Safety record on the Tube
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The Standard noted that sexual offences recorded on the Tube reached a five‑year high in December 2025. A 2026 analysis of British Transport Police data found that 58% of those incidents occur inside the moving carriage, and that 99% of upskirting victims are women. The figures underline the vulnerability of female passengers in crowded environments.
How the glasses work
Meta says each pair of its glasses includes a white LED that blinks whenever the camera records video or captures a photo. The company claims the light cannot be disabled and that covering it disables the lens. Campaigners argue that the brief flash does not give by‑standers enough time to object, and that the discreet design makes covert filming easier.
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Figures revealed by a Freedom of Information request show significant spending on infringements and other expenses.
TfL and police position
A TfL spokesperson told the Standard that any device used on the network must obey the law and that the authority does not intend to ban specific technology. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson added that unsolicited filming in public is not a criminal offence unless it is linked to harassment, distress or a criminal purpose, and urged victims to report incidents via 101.
Public transport can already be frightening for women, and these glasses open the floodgates to abuse.
Liz Hunter, campaigner, Stop Smart Glasses
Questions this report answers
+What recent trend has raised concern for women on the Tube?
A study released in 2026 showed that most sexual incidents on the Underground happen inside train carriages and that almost all upskirting victims are women. The data highlights a growing risk for female passengers.
+How do Meta’s glasses indicate they are recording?
Meta states each device has a white LED that blinks whenever a photo or video is captured. The company says the light cannot be turned off and that covering it disables the camera, providing a visual cue to nearby people.
+What is TfL’s stance on restricting smart glasses?
TfL told the Standard it has no plans to limit the use of any particular device on its network. The authority says users must comply with the law and encourages passengers to report any harassment.
+What actions are campaigners taking against the glasses?
Campaigners from the Stop Smart Glasses group have launched a petition calling for a ban on the sale and promotion of Meta’s AI glasses. They argue the technology could increase covert filming and harassment of women on public transport.
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