Meta expected to unveil smart glasses without camera as privacy concerns grow

Meta Platforms is set to showcase new smart glasses at its Connect conference on Wednesday, including a pair free of cameras, in light of escalating privacy concerns surrounding AI devices capable of covertly recording individuals without their permission. The company has become a trailblazer in the market for AI-infused gadgets, with smart glasses sales surging past 7 million last year.

This dominance, however, has sparked apprehension about the devices' covert recording capabilities, prompting restrictions in various venues such as UK restaurants, pubs, and theaters. Legal challenges have also emerged, with a proposed class action lawsuit in California alleging that Meta misled users about privacy protections and that human annotators reviewing the recordings may have accessed private moments.

Despite the controversy, Meta is anticipated to introduce the camera-free glasses in two styles, Clubmaster and Burbank, according to the Information. Analysts also predict the unveiling of a new version of Meta Ray-Ban glasses equipped with cameras, alongside a slimmer and lighter augmented-reality pair dubbed Phoenix. The latter launch follows a recent announcement by Snap about its $2,195 Specs augmented-reality glasses and associated software.

While removing cameras might assuage privacy worries, experts argue that the absence of cameras could dampen demand, as image capture remains a popular feature. Moreover, the challenge lies in differentiating the product without cameras and without a heads-up display, as users might question the necessity of smart glasses over simpler Bluetooth earbuds that offer voice interaction.