Influencers Are Promoting Cheap Dupes of Meta AI Glasses that Don’t Have the “Annoying Blinking Light” When They Record

Influencers are promoting inexpensive replicas of Meta AI Glasses on TikTok that lack the "annoying blinking light" when recording video. A creator with nearly half a million followers claims in an August TikTok video: "I'm recording you right now and you probably can't tell, because there's no annoying little blinking light on these glasses."

The disclaimer states the creator is "eligible for commission," meaning he may receive an affiliate kickback when followers click the shopping tag in the video. The shopping tag directs viewers to a TikTok Shop page selling various wireless camera and AI-equipped glasses. These glasses are sold on TikTok Shop, Amazon, Temu, Walmart, and other marketplaces under various brand names and are promoted by many TikTok creators as cheaper alternatives to Meta's smart glasses, which cost several hundred dollars.

However, the price difference isn't the only reason creators recommend the knockoffs. Some claim the cheaper spectacles don't have a recording light to signal others that they're being recorded. Influencers have even used this as a marketing hook in promotional content, often pretending that a partner was unaware they were being recorded during private moments.

The cheaper glasses being promoted appear to be connected to the HeyCyan AI service, developed by a China-based company. The Australian government is investigating HeyCyan's privacy practices. Some TikTok Shop sellers linked to creators did not respond to inquiries, but one brand, LUSBY, stated it does not operate an official TikTok Shop and that the shared accounts are not affiliated with the company.

LUSBY also insisted its glasses have a recording indicator light and does not endorse misleading claims about their features. Some creators' claims about the lack of indicator lights are questionable, as some featured glasses appear to have LED lights, and commenters claim the lights are functional.