New Orleans Attack Highlights Misuse of Meta Smart Glasses

Shamsud-Din Jabbar used Meta's wearable technology for reconnaissance before his deadly New Year's Day attack, raising concerns about privacy and safety.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, killed 14 people and injured dozens in a New Year's Day truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
The FBI revealed that Jabbar used Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses to record video footage during reconnaissance trips to New Orleans in October and November 2024.
Jabbar also planted two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the French Quarter, but they failed to detonate, possibly due to his death in a shootout with police.
Meta's smart glasses, designed for hands-free recording and livestreaming, have come under scrutiny for their potential misuse despite built-in privacy safeguards like recording indicator lights.
Experts warn that the discreet nature of wearable tech like Meta's glasses could make them appealing tools for future criminal or terrorist activities.