A demo video of AirPods with cameras has leaked via a macOS Tahoe RC

Apple is reportedly preparing to release AirPods with cameras, which has sparked concerns about privacy. According to TechCrunch, the idea of camera-equipped AirPods seems to conflict with Apple's desire to position itself as a privacy-focused tech company. However, the rumored cameras may not be as invasive as they initially seem.

The cameras are intended to work with Apple's Visual Intelligence feature, which would allow users to save visual information about their surroundings. A video found in Apple's macOS 26.7 RC shows a man wearing AirPods with cameras, looking at a book and having a conversation with Siri about it. The audio track accompanying the video says, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."

According to Tom's Guide and Mashable, if an obstruction like long hair is in the way of the AirPods' cameras, the wearer will receive an alert stating, "To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered." AppleInsider notes that this is different from Meta's AI specs, which have been criticized for their lack of protection, with one outlet noting a light that can be easily defeated by a piece of electrical tape.

Brief written by urgent.news from AppleInsider, TechCrunch, Tom's Guide, Mashable — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.