When Google Glass launched in 2013, the world got its first glimpse of smart glasses. The idea was bold: everyday eyewear that could record video, overlay directions, and connect seamlessly with your digital life. But the backlash was just as strong. Privacy concerns and awkward design sank the product.

A decade later, smart glasses are making a comeback. This time, powered by better AI assistants, sleeker designs, and partnerships with fashion brands, they're being marketed not just as gadgets but as lifestyle accessories. Still, the privacy debate hasn't gone away — in fact, it's louder than ever. And while much of the attention is on cameras and always-on microphones, there's another risk hiding in plain sight: the companion apps that power these glasses.

Why Smart Glasses Need Companion Apps

Smart glasses don't function in isolation. They rely on smartphone apps to:

• Set up the device and manage firmware updates
• Sync recordings, images, or voice notes
• Provide AR overlays or translations
• Integrate with messaging and navigation services

This means signing up for accounts, agreeing to terms, and sharing personal details — often your email address. And once that email address is in the system, you're on the hook for newsletters, feature updates, and potentially much more.

The Data Grab Behind Companion Apps

Companion apps aren't just utilities. They're also data pipelines. Many of them collect:

Usage Logs – When and how you use the glasses.

Location Data – If GPS or navigation features are enabled.

Media Metadata – Time, date, and sometimes location of photos or videos.

Contact Syncs – For messaging integration, which can expose more than just your own details.

The email address you provide acts as the key identifier for all of this data. Once linked, it can be sold to advertisers, used for cross-platform tracking, or exposed in leaks.

The Influx of Spam and Marketing

History shows what happens when new wearable gadgets launch. Early adopters sign up for companion apps, and soon after, inboxes overflow with:

• New feature announcements
• Brand partnership emails (think "exclusive offers" with eyewear brands)
• Cross-promotions with unrelated apps
• Beta invites and feedback requests

Even if you try to unsubscribe, the marketing rarely stops. For fans who join multiple trials or switch between smart glass models, the clutter multiplies.

Why Masked Emails Make Sense

This is where masked or burner emails shine. Instead of handing over your main address, you can create a disposable one for each app or device.

Inbox Control – Marketing emails and spam never touch your real inbox.

Compartmentalization – Each app is tied to its own masked address, so leaks or resale are easy to trace.

Disposability – Once you move on to a new device, you can delete the email and break the marketing link instantly.

Privacy Buffer – Your real identity stays hidden from companies hungry for cross-platform profiling.

Practical Scenarios

Early Adoption – You test a new pair of smart glasses from a startup. The companion app requests your email. Use a masked email so that if the startup folds or its data gets sold, your real address stays safe.

Multiple Devices – As Meta, Apple, and other brands release their versions, you might try more than one. Creating separate masked emails prevents one company from linking your activity across products.

Beta Testing – Beta programs often generate the most marketing. By using a burner email, you avoid long-term clutter after the beta ends.

Beyond Marketing: The Security Angle

It's not just about spam. Masked emails also protect against more serious risks:

Data Breaches – If a companion app's database is hacked, your burner address is compromised, not your main one.

Phishing – Scammers often use leaked user lists to send fake "update required" emails. With burners, you can contain and recognize the source.

Identity Linking – Advertisers thrive on connecting your activities across platforms. Masked emails break those links.

The Bigger Picture

Smart glasses represent the next wave of wearable technology. They promise convenience and futuristic features, but they also intensify concerns about surveillance, recording, and data harvesting. While much of the debate centers on cameras, companion apps are an equally important part of the conversation.

By adopting masked emails as part of your smart glasses setup, you take a simple but powerful step toward preserving privacy. You can explore the technology, join the fun, and stay ahead of trends — without handing over your inbox in the process.

Final Thoughts

Smart glasses are back, sleeker and smarter than ever. But behind every pair is a companion app that wants your data. If history with viral apps and wearables has taught us anything, it's that your inbox won't be spared once you sign up. Masked emails provide a straightforward solution, keeping the excitement of innovation separate from the risks of overexposure.