## 1 Introduction  
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the adoption of smart wearable technologies. Among these are Augmented Reality Smart Glasses (ARSGs) that allow users to interact with the device, the Internet, a range of applications, and with virtual and augmented reality experiences. Earlier versions of ARSGs such as Google Glass had a distinctive appearance. However, one of the more recent versions resembles a simple pair of sunglasses. People may not be aware that they are in the vicinity of someone wearing ARSGs. This has created concerns about bystanders' privacy. ARSGs have built-in cameras and sensors that can capture and record the users' movements, interactions, and surroundings in real time [1]. These recordings, often shared across digital platforms or stored in cloud servers, can contain sensitive information not only about individuals' behaviors, preferences, and identities [2], but about people in their vicinity who may be recorded without their knowledge. Consequently, the potential for misuse, exploitation, or unauthorized access to such data poses significant privacy risks [3]. Amidst the excitement surrounding the device's potential, concerns about privacy have emerged as a critical issue, raising questions about data privacy, surveillance, and consent [4; 5], and sparking debates about the boundaries between personal space and public disclosure. Understanding cultural differences in the adoption and perception of emerging technologies like ARSGs is essential, as cultural norms and values deeply shape individuals' privacy concerns and technology acceptance behaviors [6; 7]. This study investigated privacy concerns about ARSGs between two countries, South Korea and the United States, where cultural perceptions of privacy diverge significantly. To illustrate, consider two hypothetical users. In the U.S., an individual may freely record street performances or take photos in public parks, viewing such activities as personal expression and protected under freedom of speech principles. This reflects Americans' general emphasis on individual rights and freedom of expression, resulting in higher tolerance for public photography and recording [8; 9]. Conversely, in South Korea, a user may feel anxious when strangers take photos in public spaces where they could be unintentionally included. Many Koreans perceive being unknowingly photographed as an intrusion into personal boundaries and a source of social discomfort. A recent incident in Seoul exemplifies this: a resident was distressed upon discovering that a neighbor's CCTV was pointed directly at their front door and elevator, causing them to feel constantly surveilled without knowing the extent of recording or whether they could request its removal [10]. These cultural distinctions are particularly relevant when assessing the acceptance of ARSGs, which integrate real-time recording and sharing functions that may be interpreted either as beneficial or intrusive, depending on the cultural context. These contrasting views impact how ARSGs' features, such as real-time video recording and cloud-based sharing, are interpreted--either as convenient and useful or as intrusive and unsettling. By comparing these two cultures, this study provides insight into how privacy concerns, shaped by deeper societal values, influence the perceived ease of use, usefulness, and willingness to adopt ARSGs with surveillance-related functions. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) provides a robust framework for analyzing how users adopt emerging technologies by focusing on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use [11], and has been specifically applied to the adoption of ARSGs [4]. As ARSGs integrate immersive functions like real-time recording and cloud sharing, users' privacy concerns may directly influence their perceptions and acceptance [12; 13].