Meta glasses privacy backlash — facial recognition code shipped to millions, then removed; modders disabling LED; Pennsylvania bill; Rank One Computing connection; Spain incident; BVA partnership; China voluntary code
Key Questions
What privacy issues have arisen with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses?
Investigations revealed that the glasses routed vision and audio data for human review, and Meta shipped dormant facial recognition code called 'NameTag' to millions of devices since January 2026 before quietly removing it after a WIRED exposé. The code was licensed from Rank One Computing, which supplies police and military entities.
What legislative responses have been proposed regarding smart glasses recording?
Pennsylvania introduced HB 2603 requiring visible recording lights on smart glasses with penalties for noncompliance, potentially setting a national precedent. China also published a voluntary code of conduct for AI-equipped smart glasses manufacturers amid similar concerns.
How has Meta responded to the backlash while continuing sales?
Despite regulatory scrutiny including a Texas AG probe and Senate questions on facial recognition, Meta partnered with BVA to provide glasses to 130,000 blind veterans as accessibility tools, and sales have continued to surge.
Mid-March 2026 investigations revealed Ray-Ban/Meta smart glasses routed vision/audio into human review; new Texas AG Paxton probe cites subcontractor bathroom video access. Senators pressed Meta on facial-recognition plans. Despite backlash, sales surging. CRITICAL: WIRED confirmed active facial recognition code in Meta View app (three AI models). Meta then quietly removed the code after WIRED's expose, confirming it was real and functional. NEWEST: Multiple reports confirm Meta shipped dormant facial recognition code (codenamed 'NameTag') to millions of phones via the Ray-Ban app since January 2026, with an internal memo admitting they are waiting for a politically distracted moment to enable it. Meta deleted the code within 24 hours after WIRED's expose. Modders disabling recording LED for $50, audio range test up to 40 feet. Even Realities G2 offers camera-free alternative. NEW: Pennsylvania bill (HB 2603) introduced requiring visible recording lights on smart glasses, with penalties and retailer documentation requirements. This is a direct legislative response and could set a national precedent. NEW: A broader article highlights that the 'glasshole' problem extends beyond Meta to Rokid and other camera-equipped smart glasses, reinforcing the need for industry-wide solutions and regulation. Rokid faces its own privacy backlash ahead of IPO. Crisis climaxing with regulatory and legal scrutiny. Positive counterpoint: Meta partnered with BVA to equip 130K blind veterans with Ray-Ban smart glasses as accessibility tools. A new hands-on review of MIRA Glasses (camera-less, $650, audio transcription) offers another privacy-focused alternative. NEW: A travel vlogger incident in Spain highlights cultural and legal friction with camera glasses in Europe. CRITICAL NEW: Meta licensed facial recognition tech from Rank One Computing, a company that supplies police and military (including US Marshals and Special Ops), transforming the crisis from consumer privacy to surveillance infrastructure testing on consumers. NEW: China introduced a voluntary code of conduct for smart glasses privacy, requiring recording indicators and on-device processing, signaling global regulatory pressure.