Meta Plans Camera-Free Smart Glasses to Address Privacy Concerns

Meta will launch smart glasses without a camera at Connect 2026, according to reporting from The Information, as the company responds to growing privacy concerns surrounding the form factor.

The decision reflects mounting backlash against Meta's existing smart glasses lineup. While all current Meta glasses feature a white LED that flashes when capturing images and pulses during recording, many people remain unaware the devices have cameras. The LED can be difficult to notice in daylight, leading to instances of people being recorded without consent or knowledge.

A secondary market has emerged for physically removing the LED from glasses. Meta has deployed firmware updates to disable cameras when tampering is detected, but the company acknowledges this remains an ongoing challenge. Meta claims fewer than 0.1% of its smart glasses have been tampered with, though that figure would still represent approximately 10,000 units given Meta and partner EssilorLuxottica have sold over 10 million units.

The backlash has been substantial. Venues including Planet Fitness, bars, pubs and clubs across the US, UK and Canada have banned the glasses. Cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Carnival prohibit their use in casinos, toilets and changing rooms. Courts in England, Wales and New York require the glasses be surrendered upon entry. SAT exams prohibit them during testing, and the US Air Force bans wearing them in uniform. Some people have branded the glasses "pervert glasses" or "creep glasses," with calls for legal bans in some regions.

Meta has responded with a PR campaign highlighting the recording LED and its function to address misconceptions that the glasses are always recording.

The camera-free smart glasses will retain microphones and speakers. The recording button on current models will instead activate conversation with Meta AI or Muse, the company's recently launched AI agent. Without cameras, however, the AI will be unable to see the user's surroundings, limiting functionality. The removal of cameras should enable a sleeker design with slimmer temples and a lower price point.

Meta is also expected to demo its next-generation headset at Connect 2026 featuring full-body Codec Avatars, according to The Information's reporting.