Thread

Meta takes down a critical video about meta AI Glasses after filming at Meta

632 points · 395 comments · pieterr

jimbo456 · 1790253899 · focus · HN ↗
We need to move beyond just banning these glasses - all smart glasses of all kinds - to breaking up these companies. Undo the acquisitions of Insta and Whatsapp - I don't care that will be expensive, thats a shareholders problem.
1. acd · 1790254799 · focus · HN ↗
  We should together stop calling devices which film in dressing / locker rooms smart.
  These devices record video & sound track serve Ads and do Data fusion
  What if you took a cam corder to a locker room? People would be upset, that is not allowed. That would not be nice. This is not nice either
  1. cogman10 · 1790255163 · focus · HN ↗
    Much like a cell phone, nobody would even really care if you brought a camcorder down so long as you aren't operating it (which is very obvious).
    What makes these things gross is that it's not obvious when someone is recording.
    nnutter · 1790256987 · focus · HN ↗
    Which Meta Glasses try to counter by making it obvious when someone is recording with the recording light; arguably more obvious than cell phones.
    Saline9515 · 1790258245 · focus · HN ↗
    They are designed to be easy to bypass. Plenty of tutorials exist online and I can't imagine that Meta engineers didn't know about it beforehand.
    nickthegreek · 1790258818 · focus · HN ↗
    Provide this 'easy' tutorial please.
    __s · 1790260277 · focus · HN ↗
    <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4352861484/smart-glasses-led-camera-cover-blocker" rel="nofollow">https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/4352861484/smart-glasses-led...
    > Take control of your privacy with this easy-to-use LED and Camera Blocker
    nickthegreek · 1790260820 · focus · HN ↗
    That is a camera blocker. your camera will not work with that.
    QuantumNomad_ · 1790262967 · focus · HN ↗
    Read the product description:
    > Designed for users who value discretion, this accessory covers the video recording LED and optionally blocks the front-facing camera — perfect for content creators, streamers, or anyone in sensitive environments.
    There is two parts, one to block the LED, and an option to al part to block the camera.
    nickthegreek · 1790267288 · focus · HN ↗
    Ah, well that wont work. If you block the LED, the camera doesnt work.
    nvme0n1p1 · 1790269024 · focus · HN ↗
    <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2227710/a-dollar2-sticker-let-me-bypass-the-meta-glasses-anti-creep-feature/" rel="nofollow">https://www.engadget.com/2227710/a-dollar2-sticker-let-me-by...
    Saline9515 · 1790343039 · focus · HN ↗
    Search for "meta glasses led bypass" on youtube.
    <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bAw1ybPuzPk" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bAw1ybPuzPk
    AlecSchueler · 1790258272 · focus · HN ↗
    And the next generation of "smart glasses" made by companies that aren't so reliant on public image will just forgo this entirely voluntary nicety.
    DamnInteresting · 1790258805 · focus · HN ↗
    There's a technology that can hide an LED light, it is called "a small piece of tape."
    flumes_whims_ · 1790262120 · focus · HN ↗
    I don't know how effective it or how it works but Meta says they disable recording if the recording light is blocked.
    <a href="https://9to5google.com/2026/07/07/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-privacy-light-camera-update/" rel="nofollow">https://9to5google.com/2026/07/07/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses...
    Tempest1981 · 1790264458 · focus · HN ↗
    And someone quickly hacked around it:
    <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2227710/a-dollar2-sticker-let-me-bypass-the-meta-glasses-anti-creep-feature/" rel="nofollow">https://www.engadget.com/2227710/a-dollar2-sticker-let-me-by...
    ethbr1 · 1790268654 · focus · HN ↗
    The idea that Meta gives any serious shits about anyone's privacy or well-being when it's in opposition to their revenue is laughable.
    The $17b settlement they just agreed to said as much.
    hamburga · 1790260227 · focus · HN ↗
    > As he films them from multiple angles, the predominantly English-speaking employees ask the presenter questions such as, "What are you doing?" and "Are you filming me right now?"
    Meta employees themselves couldn't tell if he was recording!
    randallsquared · 1790263972 · focus · HN ↗
    This is the non-confrontational way to say, "I know you are recording". It allows a quick "Oh, sorry" if the person is willing to turn it off when confronted, without escalating to an actual confrontation.
    Tanjreeve · 1790263949 · focus · HN ↗
    You have to hold up a cell phone to film people with it. It's a very obvious action. Definitely not intentional in the design but it's an accidental feature.

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