The Design Against Augmented Reality Crime (DAARC) project, led by a multidisciplinary team of computer scientists (Drs Mark McGill; Thomas Goodge; Joseph O’Hagan & Graham Wilson) and criminologists (Drs Richard Jones; Janos Mark Szakolczai) from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh is part of the National Research Centre on Privacy, Harm Reduction and Adversarial Influence Online (REPHRAIN). It represents a forward-thinking effort to anticipate and mitigate the potential criminal and harmful applications of augmented reality (AR) technology before its widespread adoption. This initiative embraces a ‘Design Against Crime’ methodology, aiming to integrate protective measures directly into AR system design rather than reacting to issues after they emerge.

Augmented reality enhances the perception of the real world by superimposing digital images, texts, and interactive elements onto the physical environment. Devices such as Meta’s Orion AR glasses and Apple’s Vision Pro offer extraordinary capabilities, including real-time environmental sensing, facial recognition, and deep-space mapping. Yet, these very advancements introduce new and complex risks. The potential for privacy breaches, pervasive surveillance, and other forms of exploitation becomes increasingly apparent as AR is woven into everyday life. Criminal activities and unethical behaviours may evolve alongside these technologies, leveraging their unique functionalities in ways that could be detrimental to individuals and society as a whole. Privacy invasion, misinformation, digital vandalism, identity manipulation, and economic exploitation through deceptive advertising are among the most pressing concerns. The DAARC project seeks to identify how these risks emerge and to explore strategies for mitigating them through careful and proactive design choices.

To systematically understand the threats associated with AR, the DAARC team conducted an extensive literature review, analysing 36 academic papers discussing AR in the context of crime, harm, and misuse. They examined the prevailing academic discourse on AR-driven crimes using databases such as ProQuest, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science. They compiled a codebook categorising various AR-related harms alongside potential safeguards. This meticulous approach allows for a structured assessment of the risks involved and forms the basis for developing effective countermeasures.

Several emerging threats linked to AR misuse have been identified. Privacy violations are a significant concern, as AR glasses equipped with cameras and microphones can discreetly record individuals without their consent. The ability to collect unauthorised data and track individuals in real time raises profound ethical and legal questions about surveillance and personal privacy. Beyond this, AR has the potential to facilitate digital manipulation and misinformation. Techniques such as ‘ARdvertising’ could allow for the dynamic alteration of advertisements based on user data, subtly influencing consumer behaviour by modifying or obscuring product information. Similarly, ‘ProtestAR’ presents a dual-edged sword, enabling activism through digital overlays but also opening the door to virtual defacement, intimidation, or the propagation of propaganda in public spaces.

Identity manipulation is another critical risk. AR technologies such as ‘PersonaLens’ can alter how individuals are perceived, but they also enable more insidious applications, including deepfake-like interactions, identity censorship, or non-consensual modifications to one’s personal appearance. Such capabilities may facilitate scams and impersonation crimes, making deception both easier to execute and more difficult to detect. The realm of cybercrime is also poised for transformation. Tools such as ‘ShopliftAR’ could allow criminals to assess security vulnerabilities using AR-enhanced analytics, aiding theft or unauthorised access. Additionally, fraudulent digital overlays could mislead users, directing them to counterfeit digital storefronts, fake navigation signs, or deceptive financial transactions.

While AR holds immense promise across various fields, including education, healthcare, and entertainment, it simultaneously introduces new avenues for harm and criminal activity.There are reasons to suspect AR Glasses will replace smartphones in the next decade. The work undertaken by DAARC underscores the urgent need for proactive intervention, ensuring that AR technology evolves in a manner that prioritises safety and ethical integrity. By incorporating these considerations from the outset, AR can be harnessed to its full potential while minimising the risks associated with its misuse.

Read more about the Design Against Augmented Reality Crime (DAARC) project.

First published: 14 May 2025

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