Meta fixes smart glasses privacy flaw, stops recording when LED is covered

Meta is updating its AI-powered smart glasses to close a loophole that allowed wearers to continue recording after covering the front-facing LED indicator. Alex Himel, Meta's vice president of augmented reality, stated in a Threads post that "the camera will now stop working if the light is covered during a recording."

The company's smart glasses already disable their cameras when the LED light, which signals recording or photo capture, is covered. However, some users found they could bypass these restrictions by covering the LED after initiating a recording. This latest fix arrives as Meta seeks to improve the glasses' reputation and address criticism labeling them "pervert glasses."

Alongside the technical update, Meta has launched a new marketing campaign. The initiative aims to showcase the glasses' broader applications and their capability to integrate digital information into the physical world, attempting to shift public perception towards viewing them as a useful daily tool.

Meta's efforts to enhance privacy protections for both users and bystanders are crucial for the broader adoption of its AR technology. While a specific fix, it indicates the company is responding to user feedback and working to build trust in its product.