FBI: Meta Smart Glasses Used in Deadly New Orleans Attack Planning
Staff Editor New Orleans Attack Planner Used Meta Smart Glasses, FBI Confirms
In a shocking development, FBI special agent Lyonel Myrthil has confirmed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the perpetrator of the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, utilized Meta smart glasses to scout the French Quarter prior to the incident. The attack, which resulted in 14 fatalities, involved Jabbar driving a truck into a crowd of revelers.
According to Myrthil, Jabbar recorded video footage using the smart glasses during his reconnaissance of the area. However, during the actual attack, while Jabbar wore the glasses, he did not activate their livestreaming function.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and developer of the smart glasses, has declined to comment on the incident.
The glasses in question, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, feature a built-in camera, speakers, and AI capabilities. They are designed to be controlled through voice commands, buttons, and gestures, requiring pairing with a phone or internet access for certain functions.
These smart glasses offer a range of features, including the ability to capture images and video that can be uploaded to Instagram or Facebook. They also facilitate audio and video calls, messaging, and music playback. An AI assistant integrated into the glasses can translate text and answer questions based on visual input, primarily through voice interaction.
However, the glasses do have limitations. They are unable to perform complex tasks such as booking reservations or providing turn-by-turn navigation. Additionally, they lack a lens display for framing photos or videos.
In terms of privacy concerns, the glasses feature an LED indicator that alerts bystanders when recording is active. This indicator cannot be disabled, preventing discreet recording.
As the investigation into the New Orleans attack continues, the use of smart technology in planning such incidents raises new questions about the intersection of wearable tech and public safety.
