Meta admits software glitch let Ray‑Ban smart glasses record audio without activation phrase

Meta has acknowledged that a software flaw in its Ray‑Ban Meta smart glasses caused the devices to capture nearby speech even when the wake word \"Hey, Meta\" was never spoken. The firm says the problem has been fixed in a firmware update rolled out this week.

The defect operated quietly, saving audio snippets on the glasses without alerting the wearer. Users discovered recordings appearing despite not using the activation phrase, raising worries that the glasses were constantly listening.

The problem first surfaced publicly when a handful of owners shared screenshots and accounts of the unexpected recordings on social media earlier in the week. Tech news sites quickly reported on it, noting that the product is promoted as a fashion‑forward wearable rather than a surveillance device.

Meta traced the bug to a recent firmware revision that unintentionally changed the voice‑activation logic. In a statement, the company said engineers pinpointed the issue, issued a corrective update, and are urging every user to install it promptly.

Privacy advocates have long cautioned that always‑on wearables could be turned into covert monitoring tools. This episode revives those concerns, underscoring the clash between cutting‑edge hardware and the need for strong safeguards against accidental data capture.

The Ray‑Ban Meta glasses, produced through a partnership between the iconic eyewear brand and Meta, are marketed as an entry‑level augmented‑reality device capable of taking photos, streaming audio, and showing notifications, with voice commands as the main control method.

Meta stressed that, so far, there is no proof that any of the mistakenly recorded audio was sent to its servers. Nonetheless, the company has launched an internal investigation to see whether any data might have been uploaded before the bug was resolved.

Users are advised to apply the firmware update via the companion app, erase any stored audio files, and reach out to Meta support for help. The company also offered extra guidance for those who feel their privacy may have been compromised.

Analysts point out that the incident comes as regulators increase scrutiny of wearable technology. As smart glasses become more popular, lawmakers and privacy regulators are expected to examine whether current consumer‑protection frameworks sufficiently address the unique risks of devices that merge everyday fashion with always‑on sensors.