Meta is fixing the problem of smart glasses being used for secret photography and launching a privacy campaign

Abstract:

Meta is fixing a privacy vulnerability in its AI-powered smart glasses: users could previously block the LED recording light in front of the frame after starting recording and continue to secretly record others.

This type of smart glasses already has a protection mechanism: when recording videos or taking photos, the LED light will flash to alert people around you; if the reminder light is blocked, the built-in camera should also be disabled. However, some users have found that they can bypass the restriction by simply covering the lights after recording has started. This patch comes just over a month after Meta’s last update that disabled the camera for physical tamper warning lights.

Schimel said that Meta will continue to launch similar updates to ensure that the LED reminder light can reliably convey to onlookers that "photos or videos are being taken for the wearer's album." He said that only a very small number of people are trying to circumvent protective measures, and that these people have to take extra measures to get around restrictions just shows that the existing measures are working.

Meta smart glasses have continued to raise privacy and harassment concerns in recent years. Some wearers have been accused of recording others without their consent, while others have posted "prank" videos of strangers to social media. Meanwhile, reports that Meta may add facial recognition capabilities to its glasses have fueled public misgivings and fueled global opposition to the product.

While strengthening technical limitations, Meta also attempts to improve public perception. Albert Edin, a spokesman for the company, said that Meta will carry out promotional activities in communities with high sales of smart glasses to increase people's awareness of the role of LED recording reminder lights.