Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses face legal challenge in Germany

The German non-profit HateAid has filed a criminal complaint against Meta, Ray-Ban, Oakley, and several retailers, seeking a ban on the sale of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in Germany. The organization argues that the glasses are indistinguishable from traditional eyewear and lack sufficient indicators that a video or photo is being captured, labeling them as surveillance technology disguised as everyday objects.

In response to privacy concerns and attempts to bypass safety features, Meta is rolling out a software update for the devices. Alex Himel, VP of Wearables at Meta, announced that the camera will now cease functioning if the integrated LED light—designed to notify bystanders of recording—is physically covered during a session. This update aims to prevent users from circumventing the light's notification system to record people without their knowledge.