Key facts
- Modders are disabling the recording LED on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
- The modification costs between $50 and $100.
- Physically altering the LED severs circuitry, bypassing software camera lockout warnings.
- The demand is driven by content creators filming strangers for viral trends.
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have achieved significant mainstream adoption, are being modified by individuals to function as covert spy gear. Modders are charging between $50 and $100 to physically disable the prominent capture LED located on the left side of the glasses. This LED normally signals when a video is being recorded or when a live stream is active. By drilling out the LED, modders sever the circuitry, effectively creating an 'undetected stealth mode' that bypasses Meta's software blocks, which can prevent low-tech cover-ups like tape. The demand for these modifications is reportedly high, primarily fueled by content creators who wish to secretly film strangers for viral social media trends. Meta and EssilorLuxottica reportedly sold over 7 million pairs of the glasses in 2025.