Terror in New Orleans: How Shamsud-Din Jabbar Used Meta Glasses to Plan His New Orleans Attack.
- The chilling use of wearable technology raises alarming security concerns.
New Orleans – The FBI confirmed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar utilized Meta smart glasses to orchestrate the tragic New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, which left 14 dead and dozens injured.
The incident has ignited serious concerns about the dangerous potential of wearable technology in the wrong hands.
The attack, which involved Jabbar plowing a truck into a crowd of revelers, was meticulously planned over months.
FBI Special Agent Lyonel Myrthil disclosed that Jabbar cycled through the French Quarter weeks prior to the assault, discreetly capturing videos using Meta’s high-tech smart glasses.
“Jabbar was wearing Meta glasses during the attack, though he did not livestream the incident,” Myrthil stated. “When he was neutralized by NOPD officers, the glasses were found on his person, confirming he wore them throughout the evening.”
The Planning Phase: A High-Tech Reconnaissance Mission
Investigations reveal Jabbar rented a home in New Orleans starting October 30. For two months, he quietly mapped the area, using Meta glasses to discreetly document potential targets.
As crowds flooded Bourbon Street for the New Year celebrations, Jabbar returned to execute his deadly plan.
The attack unfolded swiftly as Jabbar drove a stolen pickup truck into the packed streets, leaving chaos in his wake.
Police shot and killed him during the aftermath, preventing further carnage.
Meta’s smart glasses, launched in collaboration with Ray-Ban in 2021, were originally marketed as a cutting-edge, hands-free device allowing users to take photos, record videos, and interact with AI.
Equipped with HD cameras capable of recording up to three minutes of footage, the glasses also enable users to livestream directly to Facebook or Instagram.
Voice commands make these glasses user-friendly, while built-in LEDs are designed to signal recording in progress.
Despite these features, Jabbar’s exploitation of the technology underscores a dangerous flaw: reliance on users to adhere to ethical guidelines.
The Security Risk: Can Wearable Tech Be Regulated?
Meta’s policies highlight privacy and responsible usage. However, Jabbar’s ability to covertly gather data exposes the vulnerabilities of such guidelines.
While outward-facing LED lights are meant to notify bystanders of active recordings, they are hardly sufficient to prevent malicious use.
“The safeguards on these devices are not foolproof,” said security analyst Brian Lotham. “Technology like this opens the door for surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially more attacks.”
The FBI continues to probe whether Jabbar attempted to livestream his attack or if the recordings were strictly for pre-attack reconnaissance. This incident has spurred renewed debate about the regulation of wearable tech and its potential misuse by bad actors.
As wearable technology becomes mainstream, experts urge companies like Meta to implement stronger safeguards and more comprehensive security measures.
From AI-driven monitoring to real-time intervention mechanisms, stakeholders argue that the industry must prioritize public safety alongside innovation.
“Wearable tech is the future, but without stricter regulations, we risk seeing more incidents like New Orleans,” Lotham added.
Stay updated on this developing story.
