The Perverse Predictability of Progress: Unpacking Tech's Dark Underbelly
The rapid march of technological innovation frequently sparks conversations about efficiency, connectivity, and progress. Yet, a stark, uncomfortable truth, dubbed 'rule 35' by some observers, suggests an almost inevitable darker corollary: 'whenever a new technology is created, it will, without exception, immediately be used to harass girls and women.' This unsettling predictability is manifesting in increasingly sophisticated and disturbing ways, from covert smartglass recordings to the emerging specter of 'robogroping,' challenging both industry and regulators.
The pattern of tech misuse is not new. Meta’s "pervert glasses," for instance, were quickly adopted by "manfluencers" who filmed themselves attempting to flirt with women in public spaces, uploading the footage to TikTok. These women were often unaware of being recorded until their identities were shared online, leading to further harassment. Meta’s response has been described as instituting "a few bans and made some privacy updates," but at the Meta Connect 2026 keynote, Mark Zuckerberg reportedly did not apologize for the disruption caused by his technology.
Beyond wearable tech, the abuse extends to other sophisticated systems. The Flock license plate tracking system has been misused by law enforcement officers to monitor the locations of ex-partners or women they were sexually interested in. Similarly, AI image generators have been leveraged to create deepfake pornography, with a 2023 report indicating that "deepfake pornography made up 98 per cent of all deepfake videos online, and 99 per cent depicted women." The latest and most alarming development, however, is livestreamed 'robogroping.' Police in Cologne, Germany, are currently investigating an incident where a humanoid robot, controlled by two teenage males, touched a 16-year-old girl’s buttocks and made sexually suggestive gestures, with the act reportedly livestreamed online. The local police, having confiscated the robot, expressed unfamiliarity with the phenomenon, stating, "We have not been aware of this phenomenon so far," and that it was "new territory for us." The rapid accessibility of AI-powered humanoid robots is a critical concern, underscored by a New York school’s halted plans to use a humanoid robot called Sally, manufactured by a company known for realistic sex dolls.
### The Inevitable Misappropriation
The author's grim observation, 'rule 35,' serves as a potent insight into the seemingly inevitable dark side of technological advancement. It suggests that the problem isn't merely isolated incidents of misuse but a fundamental, recurring pattern across diverse technologies—from discreet smartglasses and tracking systems to generative AI and advanced robotics. This consistent misappropriation necessitates a shift in perspective, moving beyond seeing technology as neutral and acknowledging its inherent vulnerabilities to malicious intent.
### Regulatory Lag and Corporate Inertia
The "new territory" admission from the Cologne police is a stark indicator of the reactive stance of existing legal and enforcement frameworks. The rapid pace of technological change consistently outstrips the ability of regulators and law enforcement to anticipate and define new forms of harm. Concurrently, the perceived insufficiency of Meta’s response and the absence of a public apology from its CEO highlight a critical deficit in corporate responsibility. This inertia allows harmful applications to proliferate, creating a widening gap between innovation and adequate ethical safeguards.
### Escalation of Digital Harm
What we are witnessing is an alarming escalation in the nature of digital harm. The progression from covert, passive surveillance via smartglasses to the deceptive and highly damaging manipulation of identity through deepfakes, and now to proxy physical harassment via 'robogroping,' illustrates a disturbing trajectory. The increasing accessibility of sophisticated AI-powered humanoid robots, exemplified by the New York school's incident, signals that these advanced forms of tech-enabled harassment are poised to become more prevalent and complex to address.
### Systemic Vulnerabilities Beyond Design
This isn't merely about individual users misbehaving; it points to systemic vulnerabilities within the design, deployment, and governance of new technologies. If misuse is indeed "without exception," it calls for a critical re-evaluation of ethical considerations and robust harm mitigation strategies *before* technologies are widely released. The ability to livestream acts of harassment, as seen in the Cologne incident, not only amplifies the harm but also creates new challenges for public safety and the psychological well-being of victims. The societal cost is borne not only by those directly targeted but also by the erosion of trust in public spaces and digital interactions.
The global digital landscape is wrestling with an uncomfortable paradox: technologies designed for connection and efficiency are consistently re-purposed for surveillance, harassment, and exploitation. The progression from readily available 'pervert glasses' to the more sophisticated and expensive, but rapidly accessible, AI-powered humanoid robots, underscores a universal challenge. Societies worldwide face the dual task of embracing innovation while simultaneously anticipating and mitigating its predictable darker applications.
The recurring pattern of technological misuse, as evidenced by 'pervert glasses,' deepfakes, and 'robogroping,' demands a fundamental shift from reactive policing and piecemeal corporate adjustments to proactive ethical frameworks. If 'new territory' is becoming the norm, then the onus is on innovators, regulators, and society to anticipate the shadows before they fully materialize, ensuring that technological advancement doesn't perpetually come at the expense of safety and dignity, particularly for women and girls.