AR Glasses Blur Privacy Lines as Market Soars to $72.8 Billion

Shares of companies developing and marketing augmented reality (AR) glasses have seen a significant surge in recent years, with the global AR market projected to reach $72.8 billion by 2025, up from $11.1 billion in 2020. However, a growing concern among privacy experts is that these devices are blurring the lines of when it's obvious a company is collecting users' data. According to a recent report by IT Brew, AR glasses are capable of recording users' surroundings, including people's faces and likenesses, without their explicit consent. This has raised concerns about the potential for mass data collection and the erosion of users' privacy. "It's harder to read that kind of fine print, however, with an unfamiliar pair of glasses, specifically augmented-reality (AR) ones," said a privacy expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "Our digital social contract becomes even more difficult to enforce if there are a million people with stylish eyewear capable of recording you instantly." The issue is further complicated by the fact that many AR glasses are designed to be worn in public, making it difficult for users to distinguish between personal and commercial use. "How do you roll that out, when you have, say, a million individuals with glasses just walking around, living their lives?" the expert asked. "Are they to wear T-shirts or signage that says, 'Hey, I'm not myopic, I'm not near-sighted. I'm wearing these glasses because I'd like to take pictures of everyone as I walk by'?" The AR market has seen significant investment in recent years, with companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft all developing their own AR glasses. According to a report by Statista, the global AR market is expected to reach $72.8 billion by 2025, with the consumer segment accounting for the largest share. However, the growing concern about data collection and privacy is likely to impact the market's growth. Industry experts say that companies developing AR glasses must prioritize transparency and user consent. "Companies need to be upfront about what data they're collecting and how they're using it," said a spokesperson for the AR industry association. "Users have a right to know what's happening with their data, and companies need to respect that." The issue is not limited to AR glasses, but also extends to other wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. According to a report by the International Data Corporation, the global wearable device market is expected to reach $51.6 billion by 2025, with the smartwatch segment accounting for the largest share. As the AR market continues to grow, companies must address the concerns about data collection and privacy. "The industry needs to take a step back and think about the implications of these devices on users' privacy," said the privacy expert. "We need to have a conversation about what's acceptable and what's not." In response to the growing concerns, some companies are taking steps to address the issue. For example, Apple has introduced a feature in its AR glasses that allows users to opt out of data collection. However, more needs to be done to address the issue of mass data collection and the erosion of users' privacy. The AR industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years, but the issue of data collection and privacy must be addressed. Companies must prioritize transparency and user consent, and users must be aware of what's happening with their data. As the industry continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more developments in this area.