Meta’s Answer to ‘Pervert Glasses’ Backlash Is Camera-Free Smart Glasses: There’s Just One Problem

Meta is reportedly planning to launch a new version of its popular smart glasses that completely removes the camera. This unexpected move comes as the tech giant faces growing scrutiny over unauthorised recordings and privacy concerns in public spaces.

By stripping away the camera while keeping the microphones intact, the company could address one major privacy concern—only to potentially spark a new debate over ambient listening.

Meta Scrambles to Address Privacy Backlash

Once praised as a popular consumer gadget, Meta's camera-equipped frames have increasingly faced scrutiny over their potential misuse for harassment and covert recording.

The backlash has grown to the point that some owners have reportedly become reluctant to wear the glasses in public, creating a serious public-relations challenge for a product that has otherwise enjoyed strong sales.

Amid the mounting scrutiny, Meta has moved to roll out a remote-disable feature after detecting attempts to tamper with the recording indicator on some devices. The company has disabled photo and video functions on thousands of affected glasses, according to Semafor.

According to The Information, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company is also planning to launch a camera-free model later this year. Reuters separately reported the same development, citing The Information's report.

Six Microphones Could Spark New Privacy Fears

It remains uncertain whether dropping the camera will fully resolve lingering privacy concerns. The camera-free glasses, code-named Luna, are expected to feature six microphones for interacting with Meta AI and the company's recently introduced Muse AI assistant.

The microphones could also pick up audio from the surrounding environment, potentially raising a new set of privacy questions for bystanders.

This development comes just days after two families filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that Meta used Facebook and Instagram photos to extract biometric information and develop NameTag, an unreleased facial-recognition system for its smart glasses. The lawsuit also alleges that Meta used the data to train generative-AI systems.

Camera-Free Luna Faces a Bigger Test

The eyewear could ultimately test what consumers value most about Meta's existing smart glasses. By relying on microphones and AI rather than a camera, Meta would be asking buyers to pay hundreds of dollars for features centred on voice interactions and AI assistance rather than first-person photos and video.

Project Luna could be unveiled as soon as next week's Meta Connect conference. The event is scheduled to begin on 23 September 2026, and Luna is reportedly expected to be among the products Meta could showcase.

Privacy concerns surrounding Meta's existing camera-equipped glasses are likely to remain a major issue around any Luna announcement, particularly as the company attempts to distinguish the new model from devices that have attracted criticism over covert recording and misuse.

Meta Prepares More Than One Hardware Reveal

Alongside Luna, Meta is reportedly preparing to showcase Project Phoenix, a slim mixed-reality headset that has surfaced in recent leaks ahead of Connect. Current reports describe Phoenix as a device designed to bridge the gap between conventional Quest-style headsets and lightweight smart glasses.

The leaked hardware appears to include outward- and downward-facing cameras, while its compact design is intended to make the headset considerably slimmer than conventional VR hardware. However, Meta has not publicly confirmed the full specifications or final capabilities of Phoenix.

Phoenix Pushes Meta Deeper Into XR

Meta's Codec Avatars technology could also feature in the company's upcoming hardware demonstrations. The technology is designed to create lifelike digital representations for immersive remote communication, with Meta's Reality Labs Research team saying it has been developing Codec Avatars since 2015.

Reports suggest Meta could demonstrate live avatar-based video calls during its Connect keynote, although the exact presentation plans have not been officially confirmed.

Project Phoenix is currently expected to arrive sometime in 2027, although the precise release date remains unclear. Recent reports have described the device as an upcoming mixed-reality headset rather than a conventional pair of smart glasses.

Whether by removing the camera from Project Luna or pushing further into mixed reality with Project Phoenix, Meta faces a delicate hardware and privacy challenge. As the company prepares to showcase its next wave of devices, addressing concerns around recording, biometric data and public trust could prove as important as the technology itself.