London bus ads by Everyone Hates Elon expose privacy risks of Meta’s Kylie Jenner smart glasses

A guerrilla art collective called Everyone Hates Elon turned a London bus stop into a live critique of Meta’s new Kylie Jenner‑branded smart glasses. The lenticular poster flips from a glossy campaign image to a skeletal X‑ray version of Jenner with the caption "We’re always watching." The stunt was placed directly opposite Meta’s UK headquarters, drawing immediate social‑media attention. By visualising the hidden surveillance potential of the glasses, the activists forced a public conversation about consent and continuous recording. The move underscores how street‑level interventions can amplify tech‑privacy debates.

What happened

Everyone Hates Elon installed a lenticular ad on a bus shelter near Meta’s London office that changes depending on viewing angle, echoing the reveal mechanic from the 1988 film They Live. One side shows Kylie Jenner modelling the Meta‑Ray‑Ban glasses; the other reveals a skeletal X‑ray silhouette with the tagline "We’re always watching." The group posted images on Instagram, highlighting the glasses’ ability to record up to three minutes of video continuously and, according to the Financial Times, to capture audio without a visible LED indicator.

Meta responded by announcing a software update that would disable the camera when the built‑in LED is not active, but critics note that the update does not address the core issue of covert recording in public spaces. The protest has sparked broader media coverage, with outlets quoting the group’s claim that "Meta has spent years tracking us online. Now it wants to track us in the real world too."

Why it matters

The controversy spotlights a clash between emerging wearable technology and established expectations of privacy. Continuous video and audio capture without clear visual cues can erode public trust, invite legal scrutiny, and pressure regulators to clarify consent standards for ambient recording. For Meta, the backlash threatens brand reputation and may slow adoption of its smart‑glasses line, while activists gain a high‑visibility platform to demand stronger safeguards.

How to think about it

When evaluating wearable cameras, start by checking for an always‑on LED indicator and clear consent prompts. Demand that manufacturers provide an easy‑to‑use toggle that disables recording in public settings. Follow regulatory updates from bodies such as the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, and consider supporting community‑driven audits that test devices for covert behavior. Finally, weigh the convenience of hands‑free recording against the potential for abuse, and decide whether the technology aligns with your personal privacy standards.

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