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Comment by weli

7 hours ago

Still works like that.

The glasses have in the same hole a led light and a small light sensor (similar to the ones used in monitors to set up auto-brightness).

On start recording the glasses check if the light sensor is above a certain threshold, if it is then it starts recording and turns on the led light.

So, if you start recording and then cover the hole, it keeps recording because the check only happens on start. Even if they wanted to fix this by making the light sensor do a constant check it wouldn't work as the privacy led light indicator is triggering the same sensor, which is a terrible design choice.

And to disable the light is as easy as using a small drill bit and breaking either the light sensor module or the led light. They can detect if it's been tampered with and they put a giant notice saying the privacy light is not working but they still let you record anyways lol.

> Even if they wanted to fix this by making the light sensor do a constant check it wouldn't work as the privacy led light indicator is triggering the same sensor,

The privacy led light could just turn off for a couple of milliseconds (or less) while the light sensor performs its check.

> The privacy led light could just turn off for a couple of milliseconds (or less) while the light sensor performs its check.

True but then that would mean a blinking led light instead of a constant turned on led light, which is a different product requirement from what it currently does.

  • Parent's point was that you can likely do it at a high enough frequency that blinking would be imperceivable by the human eye.

    • I don't think the cheap light sensor would have a fast enough polling rate for that. And if you increase the polling rate I will just put a phosphorescent sticker that absorbs and reflects the light coming out of the led with a good enough afterglow that the photoresistor will still pick up as some value and still allow for recording.

      Also what is the implication here? If you cover the hole accidentally for one microsecond do you invalidate the whole recording? Does it need to be covered for more than one second, two seconds, ten?

      All of that for what? So that in 2 years we can have chinese off-brand clones for 50 dollars that offer no security mechanisms anyways?

      We all need to understand this is the new normal, being able to be recorded anywhere anytime. Just like you can get punched in the street anywhere anytime. We only act on things that can be proven to have caused you prejudice in court.

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  • I feel like it was pretty common to have the red light blinking on and off every second when recording. In that time where it is off during that cycle it would make sense to preform the sensor checks.

Sounds like it would be pretty easy to fake out with a custom circuit too, for those that are willing to go beyond ‘whoops how did that happen’ levels.