Meta's CTO on Glasses Controversy
Meta’s CTO states that the issue with their glasses isn't widespread but rather caused by a small number of bad actors. His company is reportedly launching a new version without a camera.
Background
- September 19, 2026: Andrew "Boz" Bosworth, Meta's CTO and head of Reality Labs, addressed the controversy in an AMA on his personal Instagram.
- Source: Business Insider (as reported by Katie Notopoulos)
Bosworth's Argument
Bosworth argues that most users wear the glasses normally, much like a phone camera, and highlights anti-tamper measures designed to prevent recording when covered. He believes the issue is not with the majority of users but with a minority engaging in objectionable behavior.
The Problem with the Defense
- Phone Comparison: The comparison to holding up a phone as a visible act is problematic because smart glasses are meant to be nearly invisible, defeating their purpose.
- Anti-Tamper Measures: While Meta has implemented software updates and physical modifications (like drilling out the light) to prevent tampering, these fixes have already been overcome, notably by a $2 sticker.
Luna: A New Version Without a Camera
The Information reported that Meta is working on a camera-free version of their glasses, codenamed Luna, featuring six microphones and no camera. This version is expected to be unveiled at Connect on September 23rd and shipped in October.
Removing the Defining Feature
Companies typically do not remove core features to appease a minority, but when there's a broader perception problem they can't mitigate, they make changes. Bosworth acknowledged that more needs to be discussed at Connect, five days after stating that discourse had been captured by a fringe group.
What Luna Changes
Removing the camera addresses the bystander issue directly, but it also removes a primary reason for buying the glasses. Six microphones introduce an audio privacy concern, and there's no equivalent of the recording light for microphones. Luna would be the first to ship into this unestablished gap in signaling face-worn device listening.
European Response
Enforcement is more concrete in Europe, where Paris prosecutors have initiated a criminal inquiry into sexual harassment linked to smart glasses used to film women in public.