Meta reportedly set to unveil camera-free ‘Luna’ smart glasses to ease privacy fears
Meta is reportedly readying camera-free smart glasses called Luna, featuring six microphones and speakers to enable AI chat while aiming to reduce privacy concerns tied to its camera-equipped frames.
Meta is preparing to introduce a new pair of smart glasses that drop the camera entirely, a move aimed at addressing mounting privacy concerns around its wearable devices. The camera-free frames, reportedly codenamed Luna, could be shown at Meta Connect next week and are said to prioritize voice interaction and audio playback over photo and video capture.
According to the report, Luna swaps a camera for six built-in microphones and integrated speakers, enabling hands-free conversations with Meta AI and the company’s Muse AI agent. Removing the camera has allowed Meta to slim the temples, bringing the frames closer in size to ordinary eyewear, and the company is reportedly planning two styles — Clubmaster and Burbank — with a targeted shipping window in October.
Privacy backlash that prompted the change
Meta’s current smart glasses have attracted users but also a vocal privacy backlash driven mainly by concerns over surreptitious video recording. The devices have been banned from some venues, including New York courtrooms and Britain’s largest pub chain, amid reports of bad actors using the camera to record people for social media attention.
Meta points to a recording LED and has said the camera will stop working if the indicator is tampered with, but small groups have developed workarounds to record with the LED off. Those incidents helped spur the reported pivot to a camera-free model.
What comes next
Alongside Luna, Meta is said to be preparing higher-end augmented reality glasses codenamed Phoenix, which aim to project virtual workspaces or large screens in AR and are expected to arrive in 2027. These follow the company’s 2024 AR concept device.
Even without a camera, Luna may not fully neutralize privacy worries: always-on microphones and a design that closely resembles conventional glasses could still prompt concern. The broader tech industry has also faced scrutiny over persistent audio features — recent smartwatch models drew criticism for always-on audio recording — and Meta’s products do not automatically benefit from public trust.