Dr Jason Nurse, iCSS’s ECR Engagement Lead and a Reader in Cyber Security at the University of Kent’s School of Computing, recently appeared twice on national television, providing expert commentary on two major cyber security issues: the misuse of emerging technologies and the rise of online romance scams.
On January 13th 2026, Dr Nurse appeared on BBC Breakfast, broadcast on BBC News, to discuss the growing privacy and safety risks associated with smart glasses (such as the new Meta Ray-Ban). The segment examined how these devices are increasingly being misused to harm, humiliate and violate the privacy of women.
During the interview, Dr Nurse stressed that while smart glasses are often marketed as innovative tools, their discreet recording capabilities raise serious ethical and legal concerns. More action is needed from technology companies to prevent misuse, alongside stronger government measures to ensure perpetrators are held to account. Part of the interview was also written up in a BBC News article; some of which draws on Dr Nurse’s previous research.
Dr Nurse also featured on ITV News on February 12th in a Valentine’s Day report highlighting the scale of romance scams and the role of artificial intelligence in making them more convincing. The segment explored how cybercriminals exploit the fast-paced nature of online dating.
As Dr Nurse explained in the interview:
“Online dating is this place where intimacy can flow very quickly, so you can go from meeting someone one day online to trying to get really close to them another day. This very quick pathway from zero to 100 is one of the reasons why attackers target this platform for scams and fraud.”
The interview also offered practical advice to help viewers stay safe. Key tips included avoiding the sharing of sensitive personal information, remaining cautious until identities are verified, and not feeling pressured to move a relationship forward quickly.
These two appearances highlight the growing public importance of research into cyber security, online harms and digital safety, and the need for continued awareness as technologies and criminal tactics evolve.
At iCSS, our researchers welcome media and journalists to contact us for expert comments on a wide range of cyber security related topics. If you need help on identifying an iCSS researcher for your queries, please visit our website cyber.kent.ac.uk to find the right researchers or contact us via cyber-info@kent.ac.uk if you need any help.