Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders has suspended sales of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium amid growing privacy concerns around wearable cameras.
The retailer said the move followed public and political debate over the conditions under which smart glasses can be used. The suspension applies to both stores and online sales.
Recording features are at the center of the dispute
The glasses include cameras that can capture photos and video. Meta says every pair includes a white capture LED that blinks while content is being recorded and that attempts to cover or disable the light also disable the camera.
Privacy groups argue that people nearby may still not notice when recording is taking place, especially in crowded public environments. Dutch authorities have also stressed that identifiable people captured on video may have privacy rights under existing law.
Pressure is spreading beyond one retailer
The decision follows similar restrictions and complaints in other countries. British pub operator Wetherspoon has limited use of the glasses in some settings, while legal disputes in the United States have raised questions about how recorded data is handled.
Meta continues to expand its smart-glasses lineup and says privacy safeguards are built into the products. Hans Anders has not given a date for resuming sales.
Sources: Hans Anders statement reported by Reuters, Oct. 2-3, 2026; Meta’s official AI-glasses privacy guidance.
