Meta is releasing an update for its artificial intelligence glasses that will make covert recording more difficult, amid criticism over cases of people being filmed without their consent.
On Friday, The Verge reported that Meta had closed a loophole that allowed smart glasses users to hide the light indicator. This indicator is supposed to warn bystanders that the device is recording.
Previously, Meta blocked recording if a user tried to start video recording after covering the indicator with a sticker. However, people quickly found that this feature could be bypassed by changing the order of actions: starting the recording first and then covering the indicator.
According to Alex Himel, Meta’s executive vice president for wearable devices, who wrote about this on Threads, an update will be released soon. It will ensure that “the camera will stop working if the indicator is covered during recording.” Thus, “the recording indicator will be able to reliably warn bystanders when photos or videos are being recorded to the user’s gallery,” Himel noted.
Himel also added that “only a small number of people are trying to bypass these safeguards, and the fact that they have to resort to such tricks indicates the effectiveness of our efforts.” He assured that Meta “will continue to refine and develop its approach.”
However, malicious users can still modify the glasses or interfere with the light indicator without affecting the recording. It is also unclear whether Meta’s new protection will block popular bypass methods, such as using semi-transparent stickers that make the light less noticeable.
Regulatory checks and possible bans
Data protection authorities in the European Union are currently reviewing privacy issues related to Meta‘s glasses. They suggested that Meta may not have conducted proper field testing of the light indicator to ensure that the public understands its safety function.
Germany is considering a ban on the glasses after a non-profit organization filed a criminal complaint, alleging that the device violates Germany‘s strict privacy laws, as reported by Politico. Many other EU countries are also considering tightening controls on this technology, which is seen as invasive and posing a risk of expanding mass surveillance. According to another Politico report, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) will publish a report later this summer to determine what measures should be taken to ensure that no one in the EU is recorded without their consent.
Source: Ars Technica
