Meta plans camera-free smart glasses to address privacy concerns

Meta is planning to launch a new version of its smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban, that removes the built-in camera. The decision follows significant public and regulatory backlash regarding privacy, as previous models were criticized and nicknamed ‘pervert glasses’ after being used to record individuals without consent in locations such as schools, cinemas, and courtrooms.

Despite the controversy, Mark Zuckerberg stated that the company had been working on an audio-focused version for several years and that the development was not a direct reaction to the criticisms. The new device will retain microphones, speakers, and artificial intelligence capabilities. Users will be able to interact with Meta AI via voice commands to listen to music, take calls, receive real-time translations in six languages, and manage tasks hands-free.