Meta announced the launch of a camera-free version of its smart glasses in response to growing privacy concerns surrounding the devices. The new audio-only Ray-Ban glasses, which will retail starting at $349 and become available next month, were unveiled at Meta’s annual conference in California on Wednesday.

Smart glasses, which blend the functionality of traditional eyewear with digital capabilities such as photo and video capture, music playback, phone calls, text translation, and AI assistant interaction, have faced criticism for potential misuse. Privacy advocates and critics have raised alarms over the devices’ ability to discreetly record images and videos without the knowledge or consent of those nearby. This has led to bans on the smart glasses in a number of settings, including private schools such as Haberdashers’ Boys’ School in Hertfordshire, pubs like JD Wetherspoon, English courts, theaters, and restaurants across the UK.

The introduction of the camera-free audio-only model seeks to address these concerns by eliminating the recording function while still offering other features through the glasses. Despite this move, Meta also confirmed it will continue to offer multiple models equipped with cameras capable of taking photos and videos.

Vishal Shah, Meta’s head of AI products, emphasized the company’s focus on privacy safeguards, highlighting features like a recording indicator light designed to alert individuals when the device is capturing footage. “We wanted people to clearly understand that this was something that was recording, and we’ve only made that light more explicit over time,” Shah said.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp with a combined user base nearing four billion monthly active users, is placing significant emphasis on connected technologies such as smart glasses to expand access to its AI platforms. CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that roughly two billion people worldwide currently wear glasses and predicted that a majority could transition to AI-enabled eyewear in the near future.

Earlier in the year, Meta released its own branded AI glasses, distinct from its collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, which manufactures several models under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands incorporating Meta technology. The company’s ongoing investment in smart eyewear reflects its broader strategy to integrate AI capabilities into everyday consumer devices.