They seem to be eavesdropping even while inactive.
Concerns surrounding the privacy implications of Meta’s smart glasses are troubling users, who claim that these advanced devices are recording conversations even when set to sleep mode.
In three different threads on Reddit, users reported that various models of the glasses, designed for hands-free recording and communication, have unexpectedly captured their dialogues without the activation phrase “Hey Meta,” which is intended to wake them from sleep.
“I’ve noticed this happening with THREE distinct pairs of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, including both the second and third generations,” one worried user shared.
They recounted that after a recent firmware update, their glasses started recording conversations with a friend without any prompt. Disturbingly, the app has even saved audio files and text transcripts of those chats in its history.
“Meta AI does not respond to me, and I certainly didn’t turn it on,” they expressed frustration. “I’ve seen the white notification light come on while I’m just talking normally.”
This Reddit user, considering a class-action lawsuit if it turns out others share the same experience, asked if anyone else had faced similar issues of being recorded without consent.
Clearly, they aren’t the only ones who felt their privacy was compromised.
“I thought I was alone in this, so I reset the glasses, but it continued,” remarked another user. “The LED light came on in situations where I hadn’t even said ‘Hey Meta.’”
“My glasses randomly activate the internal light too, and it happens without any command from me,” a third user emphasized. “It doesn’t emit the usual wake-up sound; it just switches on. Something is definitely off here!”
“I even posted about the AI activating during random chats. Trust me, you’re not the only one. I have the second generation,” another participant added.
Meta representatives have provided a response regarding the situation, though they haven’t specified what exactly went wrong.
“This issue has been resolved,” a spokesperson told The Post. “Users can manage, review, and delete voice logs of their interactions with Meta AI through the settings at any time.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first privacy-related incident concerning Meta glasses.
Various nightclubs and even some governments are prohibiting these suspected spy glasses due to fears that owners might misuse the technology to record individuals without their consent.
James, an underground party organizer from Brooklyn who has implemented such restrictions, shared, “The real issue with these glasses is how covert they are. They feel like pervert glasses, especially if people don’t want to be observed or recorded during a night out.”
While Meta has introduced some safeguards, like software that can prevent recording if the indicator light is concealed, experts argue this isn’t enough.
“Simply having a kill switch won’t suffice,” AI specialist Dr. Roman Yampolskiy previously warned. He teaches computer science at the University of Louisville and believes that for companies like Meta to genuinely deter unwanted surveillance, they need robust measures like tamper-resistant recording lights, automatic face blurring, and significant penalties for misuse.
