"Imagine being accused": Man claims woman "assaulted" him by breaking his Meta AI glasses on the subway. The internet disagrees

A subway encounter in New York City has sparked a viral sensation after a TikTok creator claimed that a woman destroyed his Meta AI glasses, turning her into a celebrated figure among privacy advocates online. The glasses, capable of discreetly recording video, have long faced criticism for their potential as surveillance tools.

Many social media users sided with the woman, suggesting she did what many have only joked about attempting. Despite the TikToker insisting the incident was unprovoked and filing a police report, online reactions overwhelmingly hailed her as a heroic figure challenging intrusive technology.

The TikTok creator, Ethan (@eth8n_____), posted the first clip on October 9, which quickly amassed over two million views. In the video, Ethan displays the broken pieces of his AI glasses while commenting on insurance options, as onlookers laugh. The glasses, if uninsured, cost approximately $300.

In a follow-up video description, Ethan stated he had done nothing to provoke the woman. He explained, "She was like 12 feet away from me and I wasnt addressing her, I was just making sounds that I and others thought was hilarious for a video to post. There were so many different routes one could take instead of breaking someone elses $300 glasses such as asking nicely to not post it or blur my face." He labeled her actions as assault and confirmed he filed a misdemeanor claim with the police.

Although he asked viewers for assistance in locating the alleged glasses breaker, there have been no updates on her identity. Nevertheless, the woman quickly achieved internet fame.

Even before AI-powered features, Meta glasses raised concerns due to their ability to discreetly record video, a capability that adds to the widespread privacy issues already present with smartphones. While Meta added an indicator light to address these concerns, some users bypass these features with stickers. In 2024, two Harvard students demonstrated software capable of extracting personal dataincluding names, phone numbers, addresses, and relatives' identitiesfrom anyone in the glasses view, amplifying fears of intrusive surveillance.

The TikToker later reacted to the public support for the woman, highlighting the massive online endorsement she received. By late November, her reputation as the "Meta glasses breaker" had spread across social media platforms. Despite some AI supporters defending the TikToker, most responses celebrated the womans confidence and presence.

Users praised her charisma and decisiveness in the moment. Comments included: "She's perfect," "The most powerful woman Ive ever seen," and "Imagine being this based, gorgeous, tall and cool." Opinions varied on who was technically right, but her aura won universal admiration.

Author: Sophia Brooks