Smartphone Replacements Emerging Rapidly, but Beware of Hidden Dangers
The era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seeing the emergence of various new devices touted as potential smartphone replacements, ranging from smart glasses to AI-based pins. However, the presence of devices capable of seeing, hearing, and responding is triggering its own set of threats and dangers.
Concerns regarding AI have been voiced by many technology company leaders recently. Various smartphone replacement products have become primary targets due to the serious threats they pose to privacy.
Many parties fear that smart glasses could be misused for secret recording. This technology is even predicted to have the potential to erode the right to anonymity and the principle of obtaining consent for photography in the future.
These fears appear to have become a reality in several places in the UK, including one of the largest pub chains, Wetherspoon. Venue owners have reportedly begun restricting the use of smart glasses in their premises, as cited by Reuters.
Furthermore, legal action has been brought against Meta and Luxottica of America. The lawsuit alleges misleading privacy claims regarding the company’s smart glasses.
Many people being inadvertently recorded appear unaware that they are being photographed. Ryan Clarkson, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, stated that it remains unclear to what extent the privacy of other users is being sacrificed for the convenience of the product.
“No sane consumer is told about privacy and then concludes that a device can intentionally or unintentionally record their most private moments,” said Clarkson.
Companies Behind Smartphone Replacement Products
One of the tech giants pioneering these products is Meta, through its line of smart glasses. The company is even reported to be releasing its latest product as early as this week.
Samsung is also rumoured to be entering the smart glasses market by the end of this year through collaborations with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
Nevertheless, Jay Kim, Executive Vice President of Samsung’s Mobile Division, stated that the company does not position these glasses as a total replacement for smartphones. He also emphasised that as AI handles more tasks, users will continue to demand systems that are secure and entirely under their control.
On the other hand, several companies are beginning to respond to negative public reactions regarding privacy issues. For instance, the Chinese startup Even Realities chose to introduce a camera-free model, the G1, in 2024, followed by a second generation a year later.
There is also Plaud, which offers an AI recording device in the form of a card. This device is designed to be active only when manually turned on, and is equipped with indicator lights or audio announcements to warn those nearby when the recording feature is in use.
Despite the controversy, such concerns are not entirely new. Jitesh Ubrani, Director at research firm IDC, reminded that when smartphones first arrived with cameras and microphones, they also faced a similar wave of public rejection and fear.