Meta lets AI glasses users opt out of visual data use for training or third‑party sharing outside the US
meta privacy training
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Meta will let AI glasses users opt out of having their visual data used for AI training or shared with third‑party contractors outside the U.S.
Meta announced that users of its AI‑enabled Ray‑Ban glasses will now be able to opt out of having any “visual data” captured by the device used to train Meta’s AI models or shared with third‑party contractors outside the United States. The option, detailed in an Engadget report by Karissa Bell, adds a privacy toggle that deletes camera‑derived images after they are processed, preventing them from entering Meta’s training pipelines.
The move arrives amid a growing backlash over how the company has handled visual data from its smart‑glasses line. Critics have warned that continuous image capture could feed massive datasets without sufficient user consent, raising concerns about surveillance and cross‑border data transfers. By giving users a clear “no‑to‑training” choice, Meta is attempting to address those worries while still offering the same on‑device AI features for those who keep the data flow enabled.
As we reported on 24 September, Meta was already experimenting with private processing for its Ray‑Ban glasses, a design that lets the on‑device assistant fulfill requests without the company accessing raw data. The new opt‑out builds on that privacy narrative, signalling that Meta is willing to layer additional controls rather than rely solely on on‑device processing.
What to watch next: regulators in Europe and the United States are expected to scrutinise the company’s data‑handling practices, and any further refinements to the opt‑out mechanism could become a benchmark for other wearable AI products. Observers will also be looking for how Meta balances the opt‑out with the performance of its AI features, and whether the company expands similar safeguards to other hardware, such as its upcoming Muse AI gadget.
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