NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has launched an official investigation into the controversial Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses, following mounting concerns over privacy violations, mass surveillance, and the potential misuse of the technology.
In a letter dated March 31, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) confirmed it had initiated a suo moto probe after receiving complaints from over 150 organisations and individuals. The signatories called for a transparent inquiry into the human rights implications of the AI-powered wearable device.
“The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner confirms that it has already commenced suo moto investigations into the privacy concerns raised in relation to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses and the processing of personally identifiable information for the training of Meta AI. The outcome and further developments will be communicated once the investigations are concluded,” part of the letter by Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait reads.
The investigation follows a formal complaint filed on March 6 by digital rights organisation The Oversight Lab, which raised alarm over the potential for the glasses to enable covert recording and large-scale surveillance.
The group warned that the technology could be used to capture intimate images and videos without consent, posing significant risks to privacy and dignity, particularly in public and informal settings.
“It is notable that the ODPC is taking this issue seriously and has decided to investigate it. We ask that the investigation be done openly, consultatively and in full transparency, noting that Kenyans are now more than ever keen on being involved in regulatory processes dictating their digital future. We are looking forward to a formal invitation for concerned stakeholders to share their views on the matter, given that this is a matter of grave public importance,” said Mercy Mutemi.
Mutemi further warned of broader ethical concerns tied to the use of AI technologies in Kenya.
“Just as we saw in the Worldcoin case, Kenya is once again being used as a training ground for exploitative and harmful AI. We are especially concerned for the welfare of the data labellers and annotators who are exposed to traumatising content from the Ray-Ban Meta glasses without adequate occupational health protections.”
Kenya’s probe places it alongside countries such as United Kingdom and United States, where Meta Platforms is facing growing legal and regulatory scrutiny over data privacy practices linked to its AI products.
The controversy has been amplified by reports that footage captured globally through the smart glasses has been processed in Kenya by outsourced workers tasked with reviewing and labelling sensitive data.
Investigations have pointed to operations linked to Samasource Kenya EPZ Limited, where workers reportedly handle graphic and intimate content, raising concerns about labour protections and psychological safety.
The probe also follows a widely reported case involving a foreign national accused of secretly recording interactions with Kenyan and Ghanaian women using wearable technology, before publishing the footage online without consent.
The incident has intensified fears about how such devices could be misused in real-world settings, particularly in countries with evolving regulatory frameworks.
The investigation comes against the backdrop of broader legal challenges involving AI companies operating in Kenya.
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Groups including Africa Tech Workers Movement have raised concerns over worker exploitation in the data annotation sector, including exposure to harmful content and inadequate labour protections.
In a separate case, The Oversight Lab and the Africa Tech Workers Movement are challenging proposed amendments to Kenya’s Employment Act, which they argue could shield technology firms from accountability over workers’ rights violations.
The unfolding controversy highlights Kenya’s growing role as a key hub in the global AI supply chain, particularly in data labelling and content moderation.
While this has created employment opportunities, it has also exposed regulatory gaps around data protection, labour rights, and ethical AI deployment.
The outcome of the ODPC investigation could set a critical precedent for how emerging technologies, especially those involving biometric data and real-time recording, are regulated in Kenya and across Africa.
