Rokid Founder Responds to Smart Glasses Privacy Controversy: 'We Are Actively Engaging Regulators to Shape Legislation'

At the Rokid Open Day 2026 Global Ecosystem and Developer Conference today, Rokid founder Zhu Mingming addressed the recent controversy over a passenger allegedly using Rokid smart glasses to secretly photograph a Spring Airlines flight attendant, sparking widespread public concern about smart glasses being used as covert recording devices.

Earlier this month, a post surfaced in the Rokid smart glasses user community showing images captured on a Spring Airlines flight using the device, raising alarm about privacy violations. The company swiftly launched a special investigation and corrective measures.

Hardware-Level Privacy Protections Already in Place

Zhu Mingming explained that Rokid glasses already feature a mandatory camera indicator light, with an integrated infrared sensor — if a user attempts to cover the light with a hand or any object, the camera is disabled.

However, third-party accessories have emerged on e-commerce platforms that block the visible light of the indicator while still allowing the infrared sensor to function, essentially defeating the privacy safeguard.

Enhanced Anti-Surveillance Measures Underway

Rokid plans to introduce new sensors and artificial intelligence capabilities to strengthen anti-surreptitious-filming protections. “Technology is always a game of spear and shield,” Zhu acknowledged. “I’m not saying Rokid has done enough — but I want to make clear that we take this matter very seriously.”

Zhu revealed that he has already initiated proactive communication with relevant government departments to help draft laws, regulations, and standards governing smart glasses recording, and to discuss the broader societal implications of camera-equipped eyewear.

Concrete Actions Taken

Rokid outlined the following measures implemented so far:

1. Community Overhaul: All violating and privacy-infringing content has been removed, offending accounts have been sanctioned, and the community content moderation algorithm has been upgraded to prevent the spread of unauthorized recording content.

2. Cracking Down on Illegal Accessories: Rokid has filed formal complaints with e-commerce platforms to delist “indicator light blocking stickers” designed to circumvent safety mechanisms, and is pushing for traceability and source control.

3. Hardware and Software Upgrades:

   • Current protections: All shipping Rokid products include a mandatory hardware-level recording indicator light, hardware sensing accessories, underlying anti-tamper algorithms (such as occlusion detection), and a system-level ban on third-party modification of indicator light permissions.
   • Future roadmap: Upcoming products will feature upgraded sensors and enhanced underlying protection algorithms to minimize the risk of malicious modification and unauthorized recording at the physical and technical source.