Meta is rolling out another privacy safeguard for its AI-powered smart glasses as concerns grow over covert recording. The latest update is designed to close a loophole that allowed users to cover the glasses’ recording indicator after filming had already started.
The company’s smart glasses use a white capture LED to signal when the camera is recording. Meta says the glasses can now detect if the LED becomes obstructed during an active recording and disable the camera. The company is rolling out the fix after reports highlighted shortcomings in the earlier protection.
In a post on Threads, Meta's VP of Wearables Alex Himel announced a software update that will make it impossible for wearers to film or capture pictures if the glasses detect that you're covering the LED. He explained, “The camera won’t start recording if the LED is blocked, but some people try to bypass this by starting a recording and then covering it up. A fix for this is starting to roll out - the camera will now stop working if the light is covered during a recording.”
On the other hand, tests revealed that people could take advantage of the timing of this check. One could record first and then interfere with the LED. This problem is now solved by the newest software update from Meta, which continues to track the privacy indicator while recording.
Meta already took an additional measure. It is possible for these glasses to turn off the camera in case someone tampers with or damages the LED used for recording. The company also announced its intentions to ban all the ads and Marketplace posts that suggest LED-tampering services.
Meta further explained, “Privacy protections will continue to evolve as its AI glasses become more capable and widely used. The capture LED is one part of a broader approach to privacy and safety.”
The latest fix is therefore more than a software patch. It reflects the growing pressure on Meta to ensure that hands-free cameras do not become tools for unwanted surveillance. As smart glasses move closer to mainstream adoption, privacy safeguards could become as important as their AI features.
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