[Digital Today reporter Jae-won Choi (최재원)] Meta has blocked the camera function on thousands of smart glasses whose recording indicator light was covered or physically damaged. It strengthened privacy protections by detecting hardware tampering as concerns grew about covert filming using glasses-style cameras.

On Sept. 2 (local time), IT outlet Business Insider reported that Meta recently disabled the camera function on thousands of smart glasses that had manipulated the capture LED that indicates recording, through a software update. The affected devices account for less than 0.1 percent of Meta AI glasses sold so far. It did not disclose the exact number.

On the front of Meta smart glasses, a white LED blinks when taking photos or videos to alert people nearby that recording is underway. From the second-generation product, the camera was automatically disabled if the LED was detected as being covered. But some users were found to bypass the protection by covering the LED after starting recording or damaging the light with a drill or other means.

Meta closed that loophole in the update. If the LED is covered with a sticker, recording can resume once it is removed. But if physical tampering is detected, such as drilling through or destroying the light, the camera function is permanently disabled.

The move comes as controversy grows over potential privacy violations involving Meta smart glasses. Some users have posted videos recorded without others' consent online, prompting even critical nicknames to emerge on social media, and some venues and facilities have moved to restrict the use of smart glasses.

Meta says the recording indicator light is a key device to protect people nearby as well as the wearer of the smart glasses. The company said the camera is automatically blocked if the LED is covered or disabled, and it will continue to strengthen tamper-detection features.

Meanwhile, sales of smart glasses such as Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta topped 7 million units last year.