Meta confirms smart glasses were recording without being activated

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses were found to record users’ conversations and generate transcripts without the voice-activation prompt being used. Multiple owners reported on Reddit that audio capture occurred despite the setting that allows recordings without saying “Hey Meta” being disabled, and they observed the glasses’ white activity light illuminate during conversations. The problem affected more than one pair across second- and third-generation models. Meta confirmed the bug to Android Authority, said it has been fixed, and pointed users to settings where voice logs can be managed, reviewed, and deleted, but did not explain what caused the malfunction.

The incident amplifies existing privacy concerns about wearable cameras and microphones, coming after earlier reports that footage from the glasses was shared with offshore contractors in Kenya for data-labeling, sometimes including intimate moments. Recording without owners’ knowledge or explicit activation undercuts trust in hands-free devices and raises questions about transparency, oversight, and how long sensitive data may have been stored or reviewed before the fix. Critics say the episode highlights the need for clearer safeguards and technical accountability for always-listening or always-recording consumer products.