# Ray-Ban Meta glasses caught recording without consent

> A bug in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses recorded conversations without users activating the AI assistant, turning privacy fears into reality.
- Title: Ray-Ban Meta glasses caught recording without consent
- Summary: A bug in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses recorded conversations without users activating the AI assistant, turning privacy fears into reality. Ray-Ban Meta smart…
- Keywords: ray-ban meta, meta, smart glasses, privacy, recording bug, audio recording, nonconsensual recording, technology, science, Ray-Ban, glasses, caught
- Source: Ars Technica — https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/10/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-found-recording-audio-without-wearers-consent
- Published: 2026-10-16T19:11:50+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ray-ban meta, meta, smart glasses, privacy, recording bug, audio recording, nonconsensual recording, technology, science
## Glasses recorded without activation
Some Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses recorded conversations without wearers saying the activation phrase Hey, Meta. The bug occurred even when the Respond without Hey Meta setting was turned off.
## Users discovered saved recordings
A Reddit user reported the glasses recorded across three Ray-Ban Metas and saved audio recordings and text transcripts in their conversation history without their knowledge or consent.

> Customers should not have to wonder whether their private conversations are being captured when they have not intentionally activated their glasses' AI assistant.
## Meta says bug is fixed
Meta responded to Android Authority saying the issue has been resolved and that people can manage, review, and delete voice logs via settings at any time.

> This issue has been resolved. People can manage, review, and delete voice logs of their interactions with Meta AI via settings at any time.
## Key questions remain unanswered
Meta has not said what caused the bug or confirmed whether a faulty firmware update was responsible. The company also has not disclosed how many devices were affected by the recording issue.
## Privacy concerns predate this bug
Before this week, privacy advocates had already expressed widespread concerns about Ray-Ban Meta glasses and their inconspicuous design, which could make secret recording easier.
## Sama contractors viewed private footage
Contractors for Sama, a data annotation company headquartered in Kenya, reported viewing footage shot by Ray-Ban Metas without the wearer or other people knowing, including private activities.

> Meta has that type of content in its databases. People can record themselves in the wrong way and not even know what they are recording.
## Legal and legislative responses
The Sama report led to a lawsuit seeking class action certification and an investigation from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Norway is considering a temporary ban on the glasses.
## Bug turns fear into documented reality
This week's bug demonstrates that Ray-Ban Metas can violate privacy through technical problems, not just intentional misuse. Without further constraints, nonconsensual recording remains a persistent risk.
## Key takeaway

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses recorded people's conversations without consent in a bug Meta says it has fixed, but broader privacy concerns remain unresolved.