Meta Glasses: The Tool Shamsud-Din Jabbar Used to Plan His New Orleans Attack

The FBI has disclosed a troubling detail about the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into a crowd, killing 14 people and injuring numerous others. According to Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge, Jabbar used Meta smart glasses to survey the scene weeks before the attack, capturing video footage while cycling through the French Quarter, as reported by CNN.

“Jabbar was wearing a pair of Meta glasses when he conducted the attack on Bourbon Street, but he did not activate the glasses to livestream his actions that day. The glasses were on the person of Jabbar following him being neutralised by NOPD, and we believe he was wearing them throughout the evening,” Myrthil said.

The FBI’s investigation revealed that Jabbar had been staying at a rental home in New Orleans since October 30, using the smart glasses to gather information about the area. He returned to the city before New Year’s celebrations and carried out his plan, using a pickup truck to devastating effect. Jabbar was shot and killed by police after the attack.

Meta glasses

The use of Meta smart glasses in the recent terrorist attack raises concerns about the potential for wearable technology to be misused. Launched in 2021 in collaboration with Ray-Ban, Meta’s smart glasses are designed as a hands-free device that allows users to take photos, record videos, and access information about their surroundings through artificial intelligence.

The glasses feature HD cameras capable of capturing photos and recording videos for up to three minutes. They also support livestreaming by connecting to Facebook or Instagram accounts via the Meta View app. Additionally, the glasses are voice-controlled, enabling users to take photos, record videos, and interact with built-in AI for various tasks.

The use of Meta smart glasses in the New Orleans attack underscores the potential risks of wearable technology. While Meta’s guidelines emphasize respecting privacy and avoiding harmful activities, the company’s reliance on users to follow these instructions raises concerns.

The glasses feature an inward-facing LED light to notify users when the device is in use and an outward-facing LED to signal when photos or videos are being captured. However, these safeguards may not be sufficient to prevent misuse of the technology.

The FBI’s investigation into the attack is ongoing, and it’s unclear whether Jabbar used the glasses to livestream the attack or to scout the area in the days prior. Regardless, the incident highlights important questions about the risks and consequences of wearable devices.

As wearable technology becomes increasingly prevalent, it is vital that companies like Meta implement stronger safety and security measures. This includes establishing robust safeguards to prevent misuse and providing clear guidelines for the responsible use of these devices.