Meta launches camera-free smart glasses

Meta unveiled several artificial intelligence-powered wearables on Wednesday, including an audio-only, camera-free version of its smart glasses, as privacy concerns continue to surround camera-equipped devices.

Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the new glasses line-up during Meta’s annual Connect conference at the company’s Menlo Park headquarters. He also promoted Muse, Meta’s personal AI assistant.

The launch follows growing scrutiny of smart glasses and other AI devices. Paris prosecutors have opened investigations after complaints that women were filmed on streets without consent using smart glasses and that videos were posted online.

Meta has said its camera-equipped smart glasses include a visible recording indicator light and that tampering with the light would disable the camera. The new camera-free model appears aimed at users and critics concerned about covert filming.