Can These Glasses Actually Thwart Facial-Recognition Cameras?
- Zenni's ID Guard lens coating fails to stop most facial recognition systems in real-world testing.
- The glasses do nothing to stop simple photo-tagging software like Google or Apple Photos.
- Users report the tech is actually more effective at locking you out of your own iPhone than hiding you from the state.
- Infrared reflection claims are largely marketing fluff that doesn't hold up under security scrutiny.
Brief Summary
Zenni Optical is hawking 'ID Guard' lenses, promising to shield you from the prying eyes of infrared-tracking cameras. In reality, it’s mostly expensive placebo glass. While the coating reflects some infrared light, rigorous testing shows it fails to prevent identification by home security systems or photo-tagging algorithms. The only thing these glasses reliably 'thwart' is the convenience of your own smartphone's Face ID.
Why This Matters
If you are buying these glasses expecting a cloak of invisibility in our increasingly surveilled society, you are wasting your money. Relying on this tech to protect your privacy provides a false sense of security while actively hindering your ability to use modern biometric features on your devices. You are better off assuming that if a camera is pointed at you, it is going to see you, regardless of what you put on your face.