Meta is aggressively pushing into wearable AI technology with new smart glasses and virtual reality headsets, even as privacy lawsuits pile up and concerns mount about how the company handles sensitive data collected through cameras built into the devices. The company announced a $1,299 virtual reality headset and a $349 pair of smart glasses without cameras at its Meta Connect conference, alongside plans to integrate an AI agent called Muse that can book appointments, find flights, and perform other tasks.

What Privacy Problems Are Emerging From Meta's Smart Glasses?

Meta's smart glasses have become the center of a growing privacy controversy. More than 70 people who bought, owned, or were recorded with the glasses have sued the company, with one lawsuit filed this year alleging that intimate images were exposed to contract workers tasked with training artificial intelligence. Some buyers modified the glasses to secretly record people without consent, leading to the devices being nicknamed "pervert glasses" by critics concerned about surveillance.

The backlash has spread beyond courtrooms. Amazon blocked Meta's Muse AI agent from shopping on its e-commerce platform, signaling corporate concern about the technology. Meta has denied the allegations in lawsuits and stated it has taken "steps to filter this data to help remove identifying information and to protect people's privacy".

How Is Meta Addressing Safety Concerns With Its New AI Agent?

In response to mounting criticism, Meta announced new privacy protections designed to prevent anyone, including Meta itself, from accessing people's data when they use certain AI features on the glasses. The company also delayed the release of its Muse AI agent "for several months to focus on safety and security," according to Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg.

Meta

Despite the privacy controversies, the Muse app has gained significant traction. The application topped Apple's charts for free productivity apps, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude. Meta says Muse includes privacy protections and the AI agent cannot see people's passwords or payment methods.

• New VR Headset: Meta is releasing a $1,299 virtual reality headset that weighs 100 grams, roughly the weight of a deck of cards, scheduled to go on sale in spring 2027
• Smart Glasses Lineup: The company announced a $349 pair of smart glasses without cameras, alongside higher-end models with cameras and AI capabilities
• Keychain AI Device: Meta is developing a gadget with its AI agent that fits on a keychain, with plans to ship it in December
• Privacy Features: New protections prevent Meta and others from accessing user data when using certain AI features on the glasses

Why Is Meta Pushing Forward Despite Industry Concerns About AI Safety?

Zuckerberg defended Meta's aggressive approach to AI development during the keynote speech, stating that the path to a safe future is to "distribute this technology widely and create the right checks and balances, rather than concentrating it in the hands of just a few". He added that companies like Meta have incentives "to move at the pace required to train its models safely".

"It's no secret that people in the industry have a wide range of views about how the future is going to go. But at Meta, we are optimists because we believe in people," said Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive of Meta.

Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive, Meta

This stance contrasts with broader industry concerns about AI safety. Earlier this month, former Anthropic safety researcher Jacob Coxon resigned and posted on social media that people building AI "earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to expand oversight of AI companies and speed up development of a "kill switch" for AI models.

How Does Meta's Hardware Strategy Fit Into Its Broader Business?

Meta's push into wearables and virtual reality represents a significant long-term bet for the company. Meta's Reality Labs division, which includes its wearable devices, lost $4.6 billion in the second quarter, yet the company still has deep pockets to experiment with new products, reporting a net income of $15.8 billion during that same quarter. The company makes most of its money from advertising but has been investing heavily in building new AI hardware and data centers.

The company's foray into virtual reality dates back to 2014, when it purchased Oculus VR. Meta has been pushing the concept of the metaverse, digital spaces where people will work, socialize, and play through virtual avatars. Brett Vogel, vice president of Meta's Metaverse Business Group, explained that the new VR glasses are "for those moments in which we're looking for that kind of differentiated experience on the go" and are not intended as replacements for television or in-person events.

To support its hardware ambitions, Meta has been expanding its retail footprint by opening stores, including a flagship location in West Hollywood in 2025. The company has also partnered with celebrities like Kylie Jenner and brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley to market its wearable devices.