Janet Mbugua Sounds the Alarm on Ray-Ban Meta Glasses

Weeks after a viral incident involving a Russian national recording Kenyan women without their consent, the conversation around digital privacy has taken an urgent turn.

Media personality Janet Mbugua is now highlighting a new frontier in this debate: high-tech sunglasses that record everything the wearer sees.

The recent controversy involving a foreign content creator, who used hidden cameras to film dozens of unsuspecting women in Nairobi, sparked national outrage.

That incident exposed how easily technology can be weaponised against personal privacy. Now, the focus has shifted to commercially available "smart glasses" and the invisible trail of data they leave behind.

The Danger of the Ordinary

Mbugua is drawing attention to Ray-Ban Meta glasses. To a casual observer, these look like standard, stylish sunglasses. However, they are equipped with cameras capable of recording high-definition video and taking photos.

The media personality warns that these devices could be active in everyday settings. You might be sitting across from someone at lunch or next to them on a matatu.

"Would you know if you were being recorded?" Mbugua asks her followers.

READ TOO: Kenya Sees Another Russian Man Emerge in Alleged Video Exploitation Controversy (Details)

The technology does more than just record. These glasses can connect directly to artificial intelligence systems, meaning the data they capture is instantly integrated into a wider digital network.

"Ray Ban Meta glasses look like normal sunglasses BUT they can also record video. I know this isn’t news to many of you but there is the part many might not know…”

The Hidden Labour in Nairobi

The concern extends beyond the act of recording. A significant part of the global AI industry relies on human "labellers" to review footage. Investigations suggest that Nairobi has become a hub for this work.

Local workers are reportedly being tasked with watching and categorising footage captured from these glasses all over the world.

According to Mbugua, this process is used to “teach” AI systems how to ecognize objects and behaviours.

However, the content is often deeply intrusive. Reports indicate that Nairobi-based workers are being exposed to “deeply disturbing” footage. This includes private moments in bathrooms, intimate encounters, and even sensitive bank card details or violent acts.

A Call for Regulation

She revealed that in response to these findings, a Kenyan organisation called Oversight Lab has launched a formal challenge.

They have petitioned the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) to investigate two key areas: how these glasses are being used within Kenya and how the resulting data is handled.

Mbugua has thrown her full support behind this movement. She argues that while the tool itself has benefits, the current lack of transparency is dangerous. The goal of the petition is to force accountability before the technology becomes even more widespread.

"This could get way worse. But if we’re able to push for accountability now, maybe we end up saving somebody down the line,” she concluded.