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Meta Enhances Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with AI
Meta has recently updated the privacy policy for its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, enhancing their AI capabilities while raising significant privacy concerns.
Key Privacy Policy Changes
- AI Camera Activation by Default: The glasses now have the "Meta AI with camera use" feature enabled by default. This means that unless users disable the "Hey Meta" voice command, the glasses will actively analyze photos and videos to train Meta's AI models.
- Mandatory Voice Recording Storage: Users can no longer opt out of cloud storage for voice recordings. While recordings can be manually deleted through settings, they may be stored for up to a year, except for accidental interactions, which are deleted after 90 days.
AI Integration and New Features
- Live Translation: Meta has introduced a live translation feature in the glasses, allowing real-time language translation to aid in communication.
- Meta AI App: A new standalone Meta AI app is now available on Android and iOS. This voice-first assistant, powered by Llama 4, offers cross-device continuity, enabling users to maintain conversations across smartphones, desktops, and the Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Privacy and Ethical Concerns
The increased data collection has sparked debates over privacy and surveillance:
- Covert Recording: The glasses' design closely resembles regular eyewear, making it difficult for bystanders to discern when they are being recorded.
- Facial Recognition Risks: In 2024, Harvard students demonstrated that the glasses could be modified to perform real-time facial recognition, identifying individuals and accessing personal information such as home addresses.
- Public Incidents: Instances have been reported where individuals used the glasses to secretly film others in public spaces, leading to confrontations and raising ethical questions about consent and surveillance.
Managing Your Privacy
Users concerned about these changes can take the following steps:
- Disable "Hey Meta": Turning off the voice activation feature can prevent the AI camera from analyzing visual data by default.
- Manually Delete Voice Recordings: Regularly review and delete stored voice interactions through the settings in the Meta AI app.
- Stay Informed: Regularly check Meta's official privacy settings page for updates and detailed instructions on managing privacy features.