Meta's next smart glasses to be secretly always watching, always listening

Meta is reportedly developing smart glasses that continuously record audio and snap photos, and users might not even see the data.

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The company describes this device internally as "super sensing", and according to a recent report from The Verge, the device could capture audio and images every few seconds. Unlike the current Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which use a status LED to signal recording, the new design may eliminate that indicator entirely, according to reports.

The twist? Users wouldn't directly access the raw footage or audio. Instead, the system would rely on metadata and AI to answer questions about the captured content. That means the glasses could act as a real-time, always-on sensor, processing data without storing it and making it available to the wearer. In other words, you'd be wearing a device that monitors everything you do through vision (images) and audio. Additionally, it will be monitoring the people around you, and you won't be able to access the data generated during the monitoring.

Additionally, the lack of visible indicators could make it harder to identify when someone is being recorded, raising concerns about consent and surveillance. Meta has previously emphasized privacy in its smart glasses, but this new direction may test that commitment. The Verge report states that in one proposed system, Meta would neither store raw footage and audio nor make them available to the user. So, if it makes you feel any better, Meta says it won't have your data.

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Question #1

How will the glasses indicate recording or sensing if there is no visible LED?

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Question #2

What controls will users have over what the glasses' AI stores as metadata versus raw recordings?

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As Meta moves forward, the smart glasses space is heating up, and the company's latest move could redefine how we interact with AI on the go, especially if this new device begins to bridge the gap between the utility of a smartphone and the utility smart glasses offer.