Stories

Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 They were labelled 'pervert glasses'. Will a camera-free version transform their image?

Meta has unveiled audio-only smart glasses, with some questioning whether it is a response to the backlash over privacy.
The article mentions several points: 1. Camera-free version: Meta has announced a new version of its glasses without a camera, which is seen as a positive sign that the company is listening to concerns about privacy. 2. Privacy concerns: Many experts and users are concerned about the potential misuse of cameras in smart glasses, particularly for women who may feel vulnerable or objectified by being recorded without their consent. 3. Data collection: The article highlights how smart glasses collect data from the user's surroundings and use AI to provide information, which can be valuable to advertisers and marketers. 4. HTC's approach: HTC has launched a new version of its glasses that deactivate the camera if someone nearby says "stop filming" or "stop recording", and all recordings are encrypted so that HTC itself cannot access them. 5. Industry trends: The article suggests that camera-enabled smart glasses are not going away, but rather will become more widespread as society adapts to new norms around their use. Some of the key quotes from experts in the article include:
* "They're thinking about it and that they're responding" (Janusz Swierczynski, researcher at Oxford University's Saïd Business School)
* "It's certainly not the end of cameras in glasses" (Thomas Wood, CCS Insight)
* "We will have to find a societal norm, a framework for the use of these products" (Thomas Wood) Overall, the article highlights the complex issues surrounding smart glasses and their potential impact on society.