TikTok sellers promote stickers that bypass Meta smart glasses privacy light
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Aug 06, 2025, 23:46 IST
( Image credit : ANI )
TikTok is facing criticism for promoting stickers that obscure the recording light on Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. These stickers, sold as a way to discreetly record, raise privacy concerns. Despite Meta's safeguards, workarounds are being sought, prompting scrutiny of TikTok's moderation and recommendation algorithms in promoting potential covert surveillance tools.
A growing trend on TikTok is raising alarm among privacy advocates as sellers promote vinyl stickers designed to block the recording light on Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Marketed as “Luxe GhostDots 4 Meta Glasses,” the $15 sticker sheets are intended to obscure the LED indicator that signals when the glasses are capturing images or video—an essential feature implemented by Meta to ensure ethical and transparent use.
The stickers, sold via TikTok Shop by a Georgia-based business called Luxe Wrap Stars, are advertised as a way to discreetly record content without alerting others. In one viral video, a man points to the light on the glasses and says, “I have the perfect solution for you,” before demonstrating how to apply the sticker. The video has amassed over two million views, and TikTok engagement suggests the product has reached hundreds of buyers.
Despite Meta's efforts to ensure the recording light cannot be tampered with—going so far as to disable recording functions if the light is blocked—some users and the product's seller appear to be looking for workarounds. One instructional video even guides users to cover the glasses in a way that tricks the software into continuing to function. However, several reviews on TikTok Shop claim the stickers fail to bypass the smart glasses' built-in protections.
Meta has emphasized the importance of the recording light as a safeguard for public privacy. The company insists the indicator is not just a visual feature but a critical part of responsible design. Disabling it undermines the intended transparency of using wearable cameras in public spaces.
Concerns about the stickers escalated after WIRED reported that TikTok’s algorithm helped boost the visibility of the product. Despite its controversial nature, the sticker appeared on TikTok’s “For You” page and showed up in sponsored listings. Even after the publication contacted TikTok for comment, the seller’s page briefly disappeared before returning without explanation. Search suggestions such as “light dimming stickers” continued to appear prominently, further highlighting the platform’s role in promoting the product.
The development has prompted renewed scrutiny over TikTok's responsibility in moderating product listings and how its recommendation system can inadvertently promote tools that may encourage covert surveillance. Critics argue that such items should not be so easily accessible, especially on a platform with a large and impressionable user base.
Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reaffirmed the company’s commitment to smart glasses during a recent earnings call, calling them “the ideal form factor for AI” and predicting that those without wearable devices could be at a cognitive disadvantage in the near future. But as the market for smart glasses expands, experts warn that maintaining visible recording indicators will be essential to preserving public trust and upholding privacy standards.
The stickers, sold via TikTok Shop by a Georgia-based business called Luxe Wrap Stars, are advertised as a way to discreetly record content without alerting others. In one viral video, a man points to the light on the glasses and says, “I have the perfect solution for you,” before demonstrating how to apply the sticker. The video has amassed over two million views, and TikTok engagement suggests the product has reached hundreds of buyers.
Despite Meta's efforts to ensure the recording light cannot be tampered with—going so far as to disable recording functions if the light is blocked—some users and the product's seller appear to be looking for workarounds. One instructional video even guides users to cover the glasses in a way that tricks the software into continuing to function. However, several reviews on TikTok Shop claim the stickers fail to bypass the smart glasses' built-in protections.
Meta has emphasized the importance of the recording light as a safeguard for public privacy. The company insists the indicator is not just a visual feature but a critical part of responsible design. Disabling it undermines the intended transparency of using wearable cameras in public spaces.
Concerns about the stickers escalated after WIRED reported that TikTok’s algorithm helped boost the visibility of the product. Despite its controversial nature, the sticker appeared on TikTok’s “For You” page and showed up in sponsored listings. Even after the publication contacted TikTok for comment, the seller’s page briefly disappeared before returning without explanation. Search suggestions such as “light dimming stickers” continued to appear prominently, further highlighting the platform’s role in promoting the product.
The development has prompted renewed scrutiny over TikTok's responsibility in moderating product listings and how its recommendation system can inadvertently promote tools that may encourage covert surveillance. Critics argue that such items should not be so easily accessible, especially on a platform with a large and impressionable user base.
Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reaffirmed the company’s commitment to smart glasses during a recent earnings call, calling them “the ideal form factor for AI” and predicting that those without wearable devices could be at a cognitive disadvantage in the near future. But as the market for smart glasses expands, experts warn that maintaining visible recording indicators will be essential to preserving public trust and upholding privacy standards.