The difference between a phone and smart glasses is that someone filming with a phone in their hand is actually more noticeable than someone walking around a venue wearing smart glasses, which look like regular glasses.

The point is that, if they wanted to, someone could enter a venue wearing a brooch, a pendant, or some other item attached to their body that records video. If the object – whatever it may be – is not easily identifiable as a video-recording device, then the privacy violation is real regardless of the device.

The problem is that here we’re focusing on the device’s form factor rather than its purpose. It’s a bit like criticizing knives because they can kill, even though they’re used for cooking. The problem isn’t banning filming; it’s that such acts must be punishable by law. Similarly, facial recognition should be prohibited not only when used with glasses but for any type of recording, because it violates everyone’s privacy to help catch a few criminals. It’s disproportionately unfair and undermines the freedom of all of us.