Meta is expected to unveil a new pair of smart glasses without a camera at its Connect conference on Wednesday, as the technology industry faces growing concerns about privacy and covert recording.
The reported camera-free glasses would represent a shift from Meta’s existing Ray-Ban smart glasses, which use cameras and microphones to capture and process information from the wearer’s surroundings. Media reports say the new device, reportedly called Luna, will instead focus on voice interaction with Meta’s artificial intelligence assistant.
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of AI-powered wearables. Meta’s existing glasses have faced privacy criticism and legal challenges over allegations involving recordings captured by the devices. Meta has rejected the allegations and said safeguards, including a recording indicator light, are designed to protect people nearby.
Camera-free alternatives are also gaining attention from other technology companies. Even Realities, for example, has developed glasses without cameras, while other startups are producing voice recorders designed to make recording more deliberate and visible.
The privacy debate could become increasingly important as technology companies seek to develop devices capable of challenging the smartphone as a major computing platform. Experts say the success of AI wearables will depend partly on whether users and the public trust how the devices collect, process and store personal information.
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