Meta expands smart eyewear lineup with a camera-free model

Meta’s Camera-Free Pivot

According to reporting from Tweakers, the new device strips away all photo and video capabilities. Instead, it lets users play music and handle phone calls without the built-in optics that have triggered widespread alarm.

Weighing Privacy Risks Against Advanced Hardware

The addition of a cameraloze model addresses consumers who consider the privacy risks of recording glasses too significant. Tweakers reported that Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses are less conspicuous than older concepts and have been available in the Netherlands and Belgium for about a year.

Simultaneously, Meta is releasing an updated camera model priced at 449 euros. That version features a 12-megapixel camera, 3k-uhd video recording, and six microphones, even as the company concurrently develops augmented reality glasses.

Surveillance Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigations

Privacy organizations have raised alarms that bystanders can be filmed without their knowledge, leaving it unclear who accesses the footage. An investigation cited by Tweakers revealed that recordings for the AI assistant were reviewed by a company in Kenya, though users gained the option to withdraw that permission.

Wired also reported that Meta is working on facial recognition. That effort runs alongside an unconfirmed concept designed to capture continuous video and audio without a visible warning light.

Regulatory Pushback Across European Markets

Regulatory friction has intensified across Europe. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) warned that recording glasses might violate the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG), advising hospitals and courts to ban them.

While specific courtrooms, music venues, and conference spaces already enforce bans, State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen deemed a nationwide prohibition too heavy-handed for now. She noted that existing privacy laws must be applied first. European privacy regulators are investigating the risks and plan to issue recommendations later in the year regarding clearer recording indicators.

Commercial Surge and Mounting Competition

Despite privacy controversies and regulatory warnings, Meta’s existing camera-equipped smart glasses have achieved strong commercial traction. The manufacturer reported selling more than seven million units in 2025, a sharp increase from approximately two million combined across 2023 and 2024.

Competitors are also entering the space. Samsung and Xiaomi have launched similar products, while Google and potentially Apple are developing their own smart eyewear. Tweakers noted that Apple is reportedly considering dropping the camera or blocking recording functions on a future model for similar image-management reasons.