Google says Android XR glasses will automatically blur faces and block real-time facial recognition
Google outlined privacy safeguards for its upcoming Android XR smart glasses, including automatic face redaction before images are sent to Gemini and a ban on live-streaming facial-recognition apps.
Google detailed privacy measures for its forthcoming Android XR smart glasses, which are being developed with Samsung, Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. The company said the eyewear will automatically redact or blur any faces captured in the camera view before the image is transmitted to its Gemini AI service. The blur is applied both to bystanders and to the wearer, such as when the glasses are pointed at a mirror.
"With this in mind, we set out to design the glasses so that personal help doesn't come at the expense of anyone's privacy," said Android XR Vice President and General Manager Shahram Izadi.
Images and video used for Gemini queries will not be stored in Gemini’s history log, nor will they be used for AI training, ad personalization or targeted advertising. Google also announced that third-party Play Store apps will be prohibited from using the glasses’ cameras for real-time facial recognition or live streaming, limiting that capability to native applications where the company can enforce its privacy controls.
The glasses feature a front-facing 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, built-in speakers and microphone, and up to nine hours of battery life, with additional charging possible via a case. A physical switch allows users to quickly power off the device, and a front-facing privacy LED indicator will illuminate whenever recording is active; developers cannot disable or tamper with this light, and the camera will not record if the indicator is covered.
Google did not claim the system is completely foolproof, acknowledging a small risk that unblurred content could still be transmitted. The company cited a prior incident in which a Harvard student modified Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses to perform real-time facial recognition, highlighting the potential for misuse of wearable cameras.
The Android XR glasses will be compatible with Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy devices running Android 17 or One UI 9, as well as iPhones, and are expected to become available for order soon.