New Orleans – A man accused of driving a truck into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year's Day, killing 14, used Meta smart glasses to scout the French Quarter and record video of the area before the attack, the FBI revealed. Investigators discovered the glasses on the suspect's body at the scene.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran and former Deloitte and Ernst & Young employee, is alleged to have utilized the glasses to meticulously plan the attack. On October 31st, he reportedly cycled through the French Quarter while wearing the glasses, capturing video footage.
The glasses, capable of livestreaming, were not activated during the attack. However, their use in reconnaissance underscores the growing sophistication of technology used in criminal activity. Investigators recovered the glasses from Jabbar's body.
The investigation highlights the potential for misuse of advanced technology, particularly in the context of terrorism. The incident brings into focus the delicate balance between innovation and security concerns related to technologies like Meta's smart glasses.
These glasses, a partnership between Meta and Ray-Ban, feature an onboard camera, speakers, and AI, enabling voice, button, and gesture controls. While primarily designed for capturing images and video, capable of livestreaming, they can also be used for calls, messaging, music playback, and real-time text translation. However, complex tasks, navigation or bookings, aren't currently supported by the device.
A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the specific use of the glasses in the New Orleans case, but the technology, which emphasizes accessibility and hands-free operation, is poised to potentially revolutionize daily interaction with the digital world. A visible LED privacy indicator lights up when the camera functions are activated, a feature that can't be turned off.
