When the Customer Is a Camera: The Reality of Meta Glasses

The pranksters repeatedly asked for a price check despite being given the answer, using the ruse to keep Hinkle engaged while recording. The situation escalated when the men deliberately misgendered Hinkle and the store manager, creating an environment of open hostility. Hinkle attempted to halt the recording by issuing a voice command to the glasses, but the men feigned ignorance, deepening the sense of violation.

This confrontation left Hinkle shaken, describing a persistent sense of unease that lingered throughout the shift. While the incident eventually prompted a bystander to call the police and led to the men being escorted from the premises, the harm was already done. The footage was subsequently uploaded to social media, repurposing a retail worker’s distress as entertainment for an online audience. Target has declined to comment on the incident.