Meta was forced to update its AI glasses policy this week after discovering that users were going to extreme lengths to modify the eyewear’s built-in privacy light – in some cases paying willing technicians to drill out the feature by hand, or simply doing it themselves.

First, it was simply covering the glasses' built-in recording indicator with tape.

But soon enough, users began escalating their tactics to rid themselves of the so-called anti-privacy feature, and that’s when Meta apparently had enough.

Meta says the tampering had ramped up after the launch of its new entry-level Meta-branded AI glasses on June 23rd.

From tape to power tools

People began engaging in what Meta described as "sophisticated efforts" to physically modify or destroy the small “LED capture light” embedded in the top-right corner of the eyewear frame.

For those unfamiliar, the tiny circular white light – barely 2 millimeters in diameter – blinks to alert those nearby when the wearer is recording photos or videos with the device's hands-free camera.

According to a new blog posted on Meta’s website this week, the second-generation glasses are already set up to automatically disable the camera if it detects that the LED has been physically blocked or covered.

Obviously unhappy with the built-in automatic curbs, Meta users graduated from simply taping over the light to actually drilling into the LED to destroy it altogether.

What’s more, a whole underground ecosystem had popped up in the interim, with ads proliferating across social media sites like Facebook Marketplace, offering to carry out the delicate task – all for the right price, of course.

In fact, former Wall Street Journal reporter and New York Times bestselling author Joanna Stern conducted her own exposé on the bustling “Stealth Mode” trade, paying $100 to have the modification done out of a New Jersey garage after finding the service on Facebook Marketplace.

Stern said she found listings across 30 states, with prices ranging from $50 to $100.

Although Cybernews was unable to find any of the Facebook ads still running, we did find one website still advertising its "Invisible by Design" services for about $120, complete with a link to book an appointment.

Meta says it's cracking down on the privacy rebels and their accomplices – announcing it is now updating the glasses' software to detect when the capture LED has been physically tampered with or destroyed.

Once detected, Meta says the camera functions, like before, will be automatically disabled.

Meta escalates the fight

Meta also had a message for anyone offering up their drilling services on social media.

The company said it is removing ads, Facebook Marketplace listings, and other social media posts promoting LED tampering services.

Additionally, Meta said it would pursue legal action against those individuals and businesses who are advertising, both on and off its platforms.

Meta further warned that any accounts found advertising or selling the modifications could be permanently banned from the platform.

Unsurpisingly, not everyone was thrilled with the announcement.

“Wish they would just offer the option to disable the camera yourself or sell them without it. I don't use my glasses for that feature unless I'm at like a concert/sporting event,” one Redditor commented in a thread on the news.

Others simply gave reasons such as parents not wanting to distract children with blinking lights while filming, to undercover reporters wanting to stay incognito while still recording a story, to one person stating, it’s just “fking ugly.”

Another comment predicted that Meta would face some upcoming legal battles.

“This hits on a few things. Everyone has phone camera already. Theres cameras basically everywhere recording you anytime your outside. If I own property who the fuck is meta to tell me what to do with it,” the Redditor wrote.

“Seems like this will be a lawsuit. Its like modding your car and then it being disabled by the manufacturer. Its pretty nuts,” they said.

Ironically, the crackdown comes just days after leaked reports that Meta is developing another next-generation AI glasses that could record users' surroundings – this time without any visible warning light, raising fresh concerns among privacy advocates.

Meta crackdown will roll out in phases

The new policy statement also comes as AI-powered smart glasses become increasingly mainstream, forcing the companies that make them to place greater focus on protecting the privacy of bystanders who may find themselves near those wearing the smart glasses.

The crackdown also comes just days after leaked reports that Meta is developing another next-generation AI glasses that could record users' surroundings – this time without any visible warning light, raising fresh concerns among privacy advocates.

One Ray-Ban Wayfarer Gen 2 owner in the Reddit thread reported already receiving “a message saying that if I didn’t update, I may lose features in less than seven days so I went ahead and updated.”

Another Redditor wasn’t convinced. “ False news I have my led removed they still work,” they said, not realizing that Meta is pushing out the updates gradually.

“This update has already started rolling out in phases and will be made mandatory for all glasses,” a company spokesperson said about the software.

Meta also said it is “continuously improving our ability to detect tampering,” so users should expect future updates.