Surreptitious shooting will become more difficult: Meta changes the way the cameras in Ray-Ban Smart Glasses work

The Meta company has released a firmware update for the branded smart glasses Meta Glasses and models created in collaboration with Ray-Ban. After installing a new version of the software, the device will be able to automatically turn off the camera if it detects physical damage to the LED that warns others about photo or video recording.

Reasons for the update

All modern Meta smart glasses are equipped with a small white LED indicator that lights up when recording video or taking photos. His task is to let others know that the camera is active.

Previously, the system was already able to recognize attempts to hide this signal. If the user taped or otherwise covered the LED, the software automatically blocked the ability to shoot until the LED was visible again.

However, over time, a new protection bypass scheme appeared.

Instead of simply covering the LED, some owners have taken to removing it entirely or physically damaging it. Thanks to this, the electronics continued to consider the indicator as good, and the camera worked without any warning signals.

According to foreign media, a small illegal market has even formed around such modifications. Advertisements began to appear in various states of the United States for recycling glasses for about $60, and some craftsmen claimed that they received several such orders every day.

In addition, marketplaces sold special stickers designed to mask the recording indicator.

New changes

The new version of the firmware significantly complicates such methods of bypassing protection.

Now the system will monitor not only the fact that the LED overlaps, but also its physical state. If the software detects that the indicator has been damaged, dismantled or stopped working normally, the camera will automatically become unavailable.

Meta said they are continuing to improve the tamper detection mechanisms in the device design to make surreptitious filming virtually impossible.

The company will also start fighting with sellers of modifications

Meta is not going to limit itself to software updates.

The company announced that it will be more proactive in removing ads promoting LED removal services, blocking accounts promoting such offers, and considering legal action against organizations and individuals who engage in such conversions.

In this way, Meta intends to reduce the spread of illegal modifications at the stage of their sale.

The problem of hidden shooting remains relevant

Despite the new security measures, experts note that the LED itself cannot be considered an ideal way to protect privacy.

Most people simply do not know what the small white light on the frame of the glasses means, and many do not even notice it during a conversation.

However, the public attitude towards such devices is becoming more and more wary.

Increasingly, the use of smart glasses is restricted to nightclubs, locker rooms, sports facilities and concert venues. Some famous musicians also publicly ask the audience not to come to performances wearing glasses with cameras.

In addition, the US state of Pennsylvania is already considering a bill that could ban the sale and use of smart glasses with a faulty or disabled recording indicator.

Meta’s new measures should close one of the most famous loopholes, which allowed the use of branded smart glasses for hidden photo and video recording without the knowledge of others.