Meta Smart Glasses Used in New Orleans New Year’s Day Attack, FBI Confirms
In a shocking incident on New Year’s Day, a truck driven by Shamsud-Din Jabbar plowed into a crowd in New Orleans’ French Quarter, resulting in 14 fatalities. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar utilized Meta smart glasses to scout the area and record video before the attack.
According to investigators, Jabbar conducted reconnaissance of the French Quarter using the smart glasses developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. While the glasses were not activated for live streaming during the attack, they played a role in the perpetrator’s preparation.
Meta, when approached for comment on the incident, declined to provide a statement.
The smart glasses in question, a collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban, boast an array of features including a built-in camera, speakers, and AI capabilities. Users can control the device through voice commands, buttons, and gestures. While the glasses require pairing with a phone or internet access for certain functions, they do not include a display in the lens, distinguishing them from some augmented-reality devices.
These smart glasses offer various capabilities, such as capturing images and videos for upload to Instagram or Facebook, as well as the ability to live stream content exclusively to Meta’s platforms. Users can make audio and video calls, send messages, and play music. The integrated AI assistant can interpret visual information through the camera, translate text, and answer questions, all designed for hands-free operation.
However, the glasses do have limitations. They cannot perform complex tasks like booking reservations or providing turn-by-turn directions. The absence of a display means users cannot frame photos or videos through a viewfinder.
Addressing privacy concerns, the glasses feature an LED indicator that alerts bystanders when the recording is active. This privacy light cannot be disabled, ensuring transparency in usage.
As the investigation into the New Orleans attack continues, the role of emerging technologies in public safety and security is likely to face increased scrutiny.
