Will Meta introduce a new pair of smart glasses that completely removes the camera to shed the "pervert glasses" stigma?
US tech media outlet The Information reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Meta is preparing a new pair of smart glasses codenamed Luna. Meta is reportedly aiming to ship Luna as early as this October. This serves as a self-rescue measure by Meta at a time when its existing smart glasses have earned the disgraceful moniker "Pervert Glasses" due to unauthorized recording controversies.
According to The Information, although the camera has been removed, the device will feature six built-in microphones and speakers directed toward the user's ears, enabling voice interaction with Meta's AI chatbot and its newly introduced consumer AI agent, Muse. It was also revealed that the product will offer two styles to suit individual preferences.
Meta's smart glasses business has been sailing smoothly in terms of sales volume. According to market research firm IDC, 2.25 million smart glasses were shipped in Q1 2026, with Meta Ray-Ban lineup products reportedly accounting for 69% of total shipments. While maintaining an overwhelming top spot in market share, other issues have emerged. Misuse cases involving existing models with built-in cameras have surfaced, such as secretly filming others and posting unconsented videos online to mock appearances or leave sexually harassing comments. Consequently, a derogatory term, "pervert glasses," attached itself to the device, criticizing the behavior of those who abuse smart glasses.
Meta has not simply sat idly by. Conscious of the criticism, Meta equipped the front of the glasses with a white LED indicator light to let others know when the smart glasses are actively recording. As methods to disable the light—such as covering the LED with tape or physically damaging it—became known, Meta ensured that starting with newer models, detecting an obstructed LED prevents the camera itself from operating. Since then, Meta has also blocked workarounds involving physical tampering with the LED or covering the LED after recording has begun to continue secret filming.
Even so, once attached, a bad reputation is not easily erased. For Meta, Luna—devoid of a camera—serves as a workaround to escape these issues. The strategy is to enter the market with a product focused on voice AI assistant capabilities instead, while remaining free from camera-related privacy issues. However, core features that leverage AI to process what users see through the camera will not be possible on Luna. Meta is also expected not to abandon its existing camera-equipped lineup.
Whether Meta's Luna can serve as a stepping stone to rebuild trust or remain merely a half-baked alternative missing a key feature like the camera remains to be seen upon its official reveal and market reaction. Meanwhile, with Meta's annual developer conference, Connect 2026, set to begin on the 23rd, Luna is expected to be unveiled during the event if it indeed targets an October release.
