Goodbye to privacy: AI glasses trigger alarm in the Netherlands

A Dutch TV program has sparked great debate after technology journalist Alexander Klöpping demonstrated a prototype of AI-powered glasses that could identify random people on the street in real time.

By looking at passers-by through the glasses, personal information such as name, occupation and social media profiles were displayed directly in the field of view.

The demonstration showed how the glasses could recognize people without access to official databases or police information.

According to Klöpping, the purpose of the experiment was to show how easy it is to use freely available technology and data to violate privacy.

The glasses used publicly available images and information, combined with artificial intelligence and facial recognition, to identify individuals.

The demonstration has raised concerns about whether the development of the technology is ahead of the law.

Opportunities and risks of the technology

The technology behind the AI glasses has been under development for several years, and it presents both opportunities and serious risks.

On the one hand, the glasses can be of great value in professional contexts, for example as an aid for the visually impaired or for use in the healthcare sector, where real-time information can support decision-making.

The glasses can also be used for navigation, translation and to support technical or logistical tasks.

On the other hand, the demonstration has revealed a number of serious implications.

The most immediate concern is the loss of anonymity in the public space.

When anyone wearing glasses can identify others without consent, fundamental social relationships change.

The use of facial recognition without prior consent can also lead to unwanted surveillance and privacy violations.

RIP privacy – AI glasses can now recognize anyone, anywhere.

A Dutch journalist has just tested a pair of AI-powered glasses that can instantly identify strangers on the street.

No government database. No police system. Just public data and off-the-shelf AI.

You’re looking at someone… pic.twitter.com/AUPu2AoekE

– Pascal Bornet (@pascal_bornet) December 6, 2025

In addition, the technology poses a risk of data leakage and misuse, as large amounts of sensitive personal information must be processed and stored securely.

Experts have also pointed to the danger of algorithmic bias, with AI systems increasingly misidentifying people from certain demographic groups.

This can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment in public and private contexts.

Regulation and future dilemmas

In the wake of the broadcast, several experts and stakeholder organizations have expressed the need for new regulation to deal with the rapid technological development.

Legislation such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is not necessarily sufficient to address the specific challenges posed by AI glasses.

At the same time, the demonstration raises the question of whether technology like this should be available to the general public at all.

The concern is that even if the technology is restricted or banned, it will be difficult to control as long as it exists and is technically possible to use.