Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories smartglasses venture reminds us that privacy rights and ethics are still far from a default must-have in user experience design. We’re already worn out with mobile cameras being pointed at us. Stories is more of the same.

Designing to let people know they’re being pictured, isn’t that hard. Third-party 3D printed Google Glass add-on I used when out and about. Image: Ultan Ó Broin

It’s on, baby

Indicating that a system is working has been a widely appreciated usability heuristic for decades. Letting users know the system is working for them is a design basic. There are multimodal interaction possibilities available left, right, and centre for designers to use to provide this communication. Letting users know the system is working on them is important from an interaction but also from an ethical and legal perspective. Ask users first if they are OK with their information, including images of themselves, being used by whatever your design enables.

Google Cardboard in use at the Dublin Web Summit, 2014. Image: Ultan Ó Broin

We’ve been here before

Tech companies are ready to push privacy boundaries all the time. They need visual as well as textual data for their service provision. Now, we see Meta is running audio, print, and online ads in Ireland to make the general public aware that they may be videoed or pictured in the future by a wearer of the Ray-Ban Stories smartglasses.

The ad is intended to make people aware of the design affordance used to let users know the camera is on: to look for the flashing white LED on the glasses frame. Now, this is very questionable affordance (and ironically not very accessible for the visually impaired folks. How about an audible signal to accompany it?) that also misplaces the onus of responsibility.

Adrian Weckler (@adrianweckler), tech correspondent of the Irish Independent, demonstrates how the smart glasses work in this great video from RTÉ:

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

The requirement should be on the Stories wearer to obtain permission from a subject before picturing or videoing anything. Perhaps there could be a frictional modal affordance that blocks the wearer from any capture unless permission is explicitly obtained? Perhaps a QR code on the lens must be scanned by the intended subject’s phone camera so they are aware of their rights, and record all the wearer’s details before they explicitly agree to be “storied”? There are lots of design opportunities.

None of this Ray-Ban Stories media concern is new. I admit I was a Google Glass explorer many years ago. Most people then (2013–2015) were unaware of the privacy implications of using Glass until it was pointed out to them. Google Glass was a fashion disaster, and Meta and Ray-Ban have clearly learned that, however, it was the use of the camera that really freaked people out.

My first Google Glass in the box (San Francisco, 2014). Image: Ultan Ó Broin

Awareness of, and protecting, your personal privacy from tech surveillance is much more widespread now. That’s a good thing. But it always remains for designers to come up with user experience solutions that respect people’s privacy rights as default; designs that treat people as human beings and not camera subjects, legality notwithstanding.

Meta Ray-Ban Stories’ arrival is just another device that enables pretty much the same use case as smart phone cameras and the same privacy worries.

Wearing thin

As this Code in Motion article points out, many of us are already worn out with protecting our privacy from personal and government intrusion use of cameras and recording equipment. The erosion of personal privacy is now a social norm with smartphone cameras being pointed at people without their knowledge or permission all the time. Meta Ray-Ban Stories’ arrival is just another device that enables pretty much the same use case. Whatever about smart glasses (Apple and other tech biggies are at it again), all smartphone camera users should have to obtain consent to picture others, by design.

Designers take note. It’s not that hard.

All images by Ultan Ó Broin. Reuse is fine with a nod to the photographer.

Ultan Ó Broin (@ultan) is a user experience design professional, educator, and learner. Sustainability and ethics in design are always on their mind.