Meta May Introduce Camera-Free Smart Glasses Amid Privacy Concerns
Meta Platforms is expected to introduce new smart glasses at its annual Connect conference on Wednesday, including models without built-in cameras, as concerns over privacy and recording continue to grow.
The company has become one of the leading names in the smart-glasses market through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica. Sales of its smart glasses reportedly exceeded 7 million last year, giving Meta a strong position in the growing AI-powered wearable technology sector.
The increasing use of camera-equipped smart glasses has also raised privacy concerns in several countries. Some restaurants, pubs and theatres in the United Kingdom have introduced restrictions on their use because of concerns that people could be recorded without their knowledge.
Meta has also faced legal challenges related to privacy. A proposed class-action lawsuit in California alleges that the company did not adequately protect users’ privacy and that footage uploaded to its servers was accessed and reviewed by human workers. Meta has rejected the allegations and said it intends to defend itself.
According to reports, Meta could introduce two camera-free smart-glasses designs, reportedly known as Clubmaster and Burbank.
The company is also expected to present an updated version of its Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses with cameras. Another possible product is a slimmer and lighter pair of augmented-reality glasses reportedly known by the internal name Phoenix.
The potential announcements come shortly after Snap revealed additional details about its upcoming Specs augmented-reality glasses, which are expected to launch later this year.
However, analysts say removing cameras may not completely address privacy concerns because smart glasses can still collect audio through built-in microphones.
Linda Sui of Smart Analytics Global said audio collection could raise similar concerns, although potentially to a lesser extent.
Analysts also question whether camera-free glasses without a heads-up display would offer enough features to attract consumers, particularly if their main functions are limited to voice commands, microphones and speakers.
Meta’s expected announcements could provide further insight into how the company plans to balance AI features, privacy considerations and consumer demand as the smart-glasses market continues to develop.
