Apple smart glasses privacy push may shape WWDC reveal
Apple plans to show its first smart glasses at WWDC in June 2027, with privacy features central to the pitch, Bloomberg reports.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
2 min read
Apple smart glasses privacy features are expected to be a central part of the company’s pitch when it shows its first smart glasses, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported. Gurman said Apple is planning a WWDC reveal in June 2027, with a launch expected by the end of that year.
The timing matters because camera-equipped smart glasses have already drawn scrutiny. The Verge reported that the broader category, and Meta’s glasses in particular, has faced criticism over the ability to take photos and videos in ways that may not be obvious to people nearby.
Gurman reported that Apple has spent years making privacy a core part of how it sells products. He said moving into a category associated with Meta could put that reputation under pressure, even if Apple’s product works differently.
What privacy features could Apple smart glasses have?
According to Gurman, Apple is likely to emphasize processing that happens on the device rather than sending more data away from the glasses. He also reported that Apple is expected to avoid facial recognition and an always-recording feature similar to Meta’s “super sensing.”
Gurman also said he believes Apple will not use recordings from customers to train AI models. That would fit with a privacy-focused approach to a product category where cameras and AI features are likely to be closely examined.
Smart glasses, in this context, are eyewear-style devices that can use cameras, sensors and software to capture or interpret the world around the wearer. The privacy concern is that people around the user may not know when recording or sensing is happening.
Why Apple may treat cameras carefully
Gurman reported that Apple is working on additional privacy measures across both hardware and software. The details were not fully described, but the reported focus suggests Apple is trying to reduce the risks that have made rival glasses controversial.
One possible path, according to Gurman, is a future model without a camera. Another is a version whose camera is used only for sensing and cannot take photos or video, an approach The Verge said has also been rumored for Apple’s AI-enabled AirPods.
Apple has not announced the glasses. Based on Gurman’s report, the company’s challenge is to enter smart glasses without making users and bystanders feel that a face-worn camera is collecting more than they expect.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.