UK courts ban Meta smart glasses over covert recording fears
Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses banned in England and Wales courts over recording risks
Courts across England and Wales will no longer allow Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses inside court buildings, with security staff instructed to confiscate the devices on entry and return them upon exit. The ban, enforced by His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), follows similar restrictions in New York’s court system and reflects growing concerns about covert recording in sensitive environments.
The move highlights the tension between wearable tech utility and privacy risks. Meta’s glasses, which sold roughly 7 million units last year, can record photos and video hands-free while displaying a pulsing LED light during recording. However, courts argue that relying on such a light is insufficient to prevent unauthorized recordings of proceedings, witnesses, or jurors. The ban extends to venues like pubs, restaurants, and theaters, where the glasses have earned the nickname “pervert glasses” in the UK due to privacy concerns.
- Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are banned in England and Wales courts due to covert recording risks, with devices confiscated at entry.
- The glasses, which sold 7 million units last year, can record hands-free but face backlash over privacy concerns in sensitive environments.
- Courts argue that the glasses’ LED recording indicator is insufficient to prevent unauthorized recordings, leading to institutional bans.
Why It Matters
The ban underscores the clash between wearable tech innovation and privacy laws, potentially limiting mainstream adoption.