Apple is reportedly grappling with significant privacy concerns as it prepares to launch its first smart glasses, leading to a delay in the product's release. The company has pushed back the target launch from early 2027 to a June 2027 unveiling at the Worldwide Developers Conference, with availability expected by the end of that year.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's development teams are prioritizing privacy, aiming to address issues that have plagued competitors like Meta's smart glasses, which have faced criticism for potential non-consensual recording. Apple intends to emphasize privacy-friendly features such as on-device processing and the absence of facial recognition.
To further mitigate privacy risks, Apple is exploring various hardware and software solutions. These may include disabling recording functions if tampering with recording indicators is suspected, a feature also seen in Meta's products. Additionally, the company is considering offering neutered versions of the smart glasses, such as models without cameras entirely or those equipped with cameras that lack photo or video capture capabilities.
