Meta is reportedly working on smart glasses that are always recording

Meta might be the next company to develop an always-on AI wearable. According to the Financial Times, the company is working on prototype 'super sensing' smart glasses that could continuously record audio and take photos every few seconds. The wearer would then be able to ask Meta AI questions about the captured audio and images.

However, the recorded content might not be directly accessible to the user. Sources told the Financial Times that in one proposed system, raw footage and audio would not be stored by Meta or made available to the user. Instead, metadata would be extracted and uploaded to servers for Meta's AI to query. Proponents argue this would have fewer privacy implications.

Releasing such glasses or the 'super sensing' feature would raise significant privacy concerns. Meta is already facing scrutiny over reports of facial recognition features, incidents of users filming women while wearing the glasses, and modders offering services to remove the LED recording indicator. Meta announced an update that would disable the camera if the glasses detect tampering with the LED.

However, according to the Financial Times, Meta currently plans to keep the LED indicator off in 'super sensing' mode. In a July 2025 whitepaper, the company stated that the LED would be reserved for 'active capture' scenarios, while remaining off during 'AI Feature' use—such as scanning a menu—to avoid users becoming desensitized. Meta is also discussing whether to use the captured data for training AI models and whether to bring the 'super sensing' features to already released glasses.

Meta spokesperson Dave Arnold issued a statement saying the company is committed to making glasses that are loved by both wearers and those around them, with privacy built in from the ground up. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed excitement about the glasses evolving into a personal agent that helps users remember things and achieve goals throughout the day.