Meta smart glasses owners can now change a setting that controls whether visual data from certain AI experiences is stored and used to improve Meta products, including training AI models.
The setting applies when you use camera-based AI features, such as asking Meta AI about something you are looking at or using Live AI. Meta says stored visual data may be used in automated processes or reviewed by people as part of training and improving its AI models.
Meta explains the option in its official Help Center guidance on storing visual data from AI experiences.
How to turn off visual data storage
To change the setting:
- Open the Meta AI app on your phone.
- Open the settings for your glasses.
- Under Experiences, select Meta AI and turn off “Store visual data from AI experiences.”
Your glasses need to be out of their case and connected to your phone to change the setting. If you have multiple pairs of Meta smart glasses, you need to adjust the option separately for each pair.
Once the setting is turned off, Meta says visual data from these AI interactions is still processed to complete your request but is not stored afterward for product improvement.
What counts as visual data?
The setting covers visual information generated when you use certain AI features on the glasses.
For example, asking Meta AI to identify a plant, explain something you are looking at or translate a menu requires the glasses to use their camera to understand what is in front of you. Meta says the resulting visual data can be stored to support glasses features and improve its products when storage is enabled.
This is different from intentionally taking a photo or recording a video with the glasses. Meta says photos and videos captured when the capture LED is on are not considered visual data covered by this particular setting.
Meta’s broader AI glasses privacy information also explains that the glasses camera can be used when a person asks Meta AI a question about what they are seeing.
Turning it off can affect some features
There is a tradeoff to disabling visual data storage. Meta says some features that depend on retaining visual information may become unavailable. One is visual reminders, which can let you look at an object and ask Meta AI to remind you about it later.
Turning off the setting therefore does not disable the glasses’ visual AI features altogether. It changes what happens to the visual information after Meta has processed the request, although features that require that information to be retained may no longer work.
For users who want to continue using features such as visual questions and Live AI without allowing the resulting visual data to be stored for AI training and product improvement, the new setting provides that control directly in the Meta AI app.
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