Meta began rolling out a firmware update Friday to its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses that strengthens the recording indicator, responding to backlash over the audio-video capture feature. The company confirmed the change in a blog post.

Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, had criticized the glasses' existing white LED as too dim and easily obscured, allowing wearers to film bystanders without their knowledge. Meta unveiled the redesigned approach earlier this week alongside its Wight camera feature.

The update makes the capture light brighter and disables recording if the LED is covered or blocked. The glasses will also emit a short audible tone when video capture begins, and attempts to tamper with the indicator will trigger an on-device warning, according to Meta.

The move comes as regulators in the European Union and several US states scrutinize wearable cameras under existing wiretapping and biometric privacy laws. The Irish Data Protection Commission, Meta's lead EU regulator, has previously questioned the company over data handling in its eyewear line.

Consumer groups gave the change a cautious welcome while pressing for independent verification. "A brighter light is a start, but the burden should not fall on strangers to notice they are being filmed," said a spokesperson for the Electronic Frontier Foundation.