Meta says it is rolling out a software update for its smart glasses, including Ray-Ban-branded models, that disables the camera when the glasses’ privacy LED light is tampered with or no longer functioning properly. The initiative comes after public backlash and concerns about privacy and the ease with which some users or modders can bypass on-device indicators that are meant to show when a camera is active.
According to the reports, the update is designed to detect situations such as covering the privacy light or physically modifying the device in a way that disrupts that indicator. If the system determines that the privacy LED has been destroyed or tampered with, it turns off the camera capture system rather than allowing camera use without a functioning visual signal.
The rollout is described as starting with Meta’s second-generation smart glasses, with the update applied to prevent workarounds that rely on removing or altering the privacy indicator. The companies frame the change as a response to those who attempt to defeat the light meant to communicate camera status.
