Meta’s Mandatory Smart Glasses Update Prohibits Recording When Privacy Light Is Tampered With

Meta is rolling out a mandatory update for its Ray-Ban Meta and Meta Glasses that turns off the camera if the privacy light is blocked, tampered with, or destroyed. Meta says the glasses already stop recording when users cover the capture LED, but with the new update, this guardrail extends to light damage or removal, closing a loophole people leveraged to record without any visible indicator.

Camera-equipped smart glasses have become a privacy concern of late, given their ability to blend into everyday settings such as public transit, educational test centers, sensitive workspaces, and even locker rooms. In May, it became clear that some bad actors were using smart glasses for extortion. The problem is so worrisome that developers are creating apps that warn smartphone users when camera-equipped glasses are nearby.

With this latest Meta update, Ray-Ban Meta and Meta Glasses users should have fewer ways to record people without their knowledge. Meta also says it is taking action against services that modify the glasses to disable the privacy light. The company says it will remove posts, ads, and marketplace listings that promote LED removal or tampering, and warns that it may take legal action against businesses that help users bypass the indicator.