Apple has pushed back the launch of its first smart glasses to mid-2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as the company grapples with how to address mounting privacy concerns. The device, originally expected in early 2027, will now be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2027 and go on sale later that year. The delay gives Apple time to refine both the hardware and its messaging around data protection.
The move comes after widespread criticism of Meta's smart glasses, sometimes dubbed 'pervert glasses' for their use in non-consensual video recording. Apple, which has long marketed itself as a champion of user privacy, is keen to avoid similar backlash. Among the measures reportedly under consideration are on-device processing of all data, a ban on facial recognition, and a commitment not to use customer recordings for training artificial intelligence models. The company is also unlikely to follow Meta's practice of employing contractors to review user footage.
For UK businesses, the implications are significant. If Apple's glasses gain traction, companies in sectors such as retail, logistics, and security may need to update their data handling policies to comply with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance on wearable cameras. The EU AI Act, which imposes strict rules on biometric surveillance and real-time facial recognition, could also apply to any smart glasses sold in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Firms that deploy such devices for employee monitoring or customer analytics will face heightened scrutiny.
For UK consumers, the trade-off between convenience and privacy remains acute. 'Apple's approach could set a new gold standard for wearable privacy, but it may also limit the device's appeal if features like real-time object recognition are curtailed,' said Dr. Eleanor Frost, a digital ethics researcher at the University of Cambridge. 'The key question is whether users will accept a less powerful device in exchange for stronger privacy guarantees.'
The broader economic impact is uncertain. The UK wearable tech market was valued at over £6 billion in 2025, and smart glasses could unlock new opportunities in hands-free navigation, remote assistance, and augmented reality advertising. However, if privacy fears deter mass adoption, the sector's growth could stall. The ICO has indicated it will issue updated guidance on smart glasses later this year, and the government is expected to consult on new legislation covering always-on cameras.