Meta has introduced a new version of its AI-powered smart glasses, called Ray-Ban Meta Audio, which lacks a camera. This model retains the audio features of the original, such as making phone calls and playing music directly into the ear, but removes the camera, which had raised privacy concerns. The original glasses, which included cameras, had faced criticism for being used in ways that violated people's privacy, including filming individuals without consent and sharing the footage. These devices have been criticized as "pervert" or "creepy" glasses and have been banned in several places, including UK pubs, theatres, schools, and even Faslane, a site housing the UK’s nuclear submarines. Meta claims the new audio-only model was not a rushed response to public backlash but had been in development for two years. The new glasses are also more affordable, lighter, and offer improved battery life compared to the camera-enabled versions. Ankit Brahmbhatt, Meta's head of product, said the company believes there is "something for everyone," but he did not specify whether the audio-only model would outsell the camera-equipped ones. The controversy around smart glasses has sparked calls for stricter regulation. Some users and advocates argue that such technology should be limited to specific groups, like the blind community, for whom it can be a helpful tool. In response to privacy concerns, a Polish developer created an app called ZuckOff, which detects nearby smart glasses using Bluetooth. Despite the criticism, other tech companies, including Samsung, Google, and Snap, are still developing their own smart glasses, showing continued interest in the market. Meta's decision to release a camera-free version of its smart glasses has been viewed by some as a positive step toward addressing privacy issues. However, others argue that the continued availability of camera-enabled models means the problem is not fully resolved. Experts compare the development of smart glasses to the early days of mobile phone cameras, predicting that societal norms and regulations will eventually shape how these devices are used. For now, the topic remains a hotly debated issue in the tech industry.