Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Ranveer Singh’s Ray-Ban Meta Deal Sparks Privacy Backlash
Ranveer Singh became the first Indian ambassador for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta.
Some people welcomed the fashion partnership.
Others worried because the glasses have cameras that can record video.
They fear people nearby might be filmed without knowing or agreeing.
Meta says a light shows when the glasses are recording.
The camera stops working if that light is covered or damaged.
Critics still wonder whether this is enough to protect people in busy places.
A Dutch retailer stopped selling the glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The debate is also about whether celebrities should promote technology that can affect other people.
Ranveer Singh was named the first Indian brand ambassador for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta on October 1, 2026.
The campaign announcement drew criticism over privacy, bystander consent and recording people in public.
Critics say the built-in cameras could make recording less noticeable and celebrity endorsements could normalize it.
Meta says a recording indicator light cannot be disabled, and the camera stops working if the light is covered or damaged.
Dutch retailer Hans Anders suspended sales in the Netherlands and Belgium on October 2 amid covert-recording concerns.
- Who
- Ranveer Singh, Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta; critics raised privacy concerns.
- What
- Singh’s appointment as brand ambassador prompted debate about privacy and consent around camera-equipped smart glasses.
- When
- The campaign was announced on October 1, 2026; Hans Anders suspended sales on October 2.
- Where
- The debate followed the campaign announcement, while Hans Anders suspended sales in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Why
- Critics are concerned the glasses could record people without their knowledge or consent, and question whether the safeguards are sufficient.
Privacy concerns
Brand and product response
Recording and consent
Privacy concerns
Critics say the glasses’ cameras could make recording less noticeable and allow people to be filmed without their knowledge or consent.
Brand and product response
Meta says an LED indicator lights during recording and that the camera is disabled if the light is covered or damaged.
Celebrity endorsement
Privacy concerns
Critics argue that celebrity promotion could make camera-equipped glasses seem socially acceptable despite concerns about bystander privacy.
Brand and product response
The announcement was welcomed by fans for its high-fashion appeal, and the partnership marks a brand milestone for Singh.
- Campaign
- “Frame Your True Self”
- Ambassador
- Ranveer Singh was named the first Indian ambassador for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta.
- Campaign announcement
- October 1, 2026
- Retailer action
- Hans Anders suspended sales of Ray-Ban Meta glasses on October 2.
- Affected markets
- The Netherlands and Belgium
- Recording indicator
- Meta says the built-in LED lights during recording and cannot be disabled.
- Camera safeguard
- Meta says the camera is disabled if the indicator light is covered or damaged.