Court ban on Meta's smart glasses with cameras in England and Wales
Courts in England and Wales have banned Meta's smart glasses with cameras from entering courthouse buildings due to the risk of covert recording.
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Meta's smart glasses, which are capable of recording images and video, will not be allowed into courthouse buildings in England and Wales. According to the policy confirmed by the body responsible for courthouse buildings, individuals arriving with these devices will have their glasses confiscated upon entry and returned upon departure.
The primary reason for the decision is the risk of unauthorized photography or video recording in courtrooms and courthouse buildings. Authorities hold the view that the use of unauthorized recording devices in courts could undermine fair trial proceedings and the reputation of the court.
One of the notable aspects of the policy is the different rule applied to smartphones compared to Meta glasses. Phones will continue to be allowed to remain with individuals inside the courthouse, provided that no recordings are made. However, for Meta's smart glasses, declarations that the device will be kept off or that no recordings will be taken will not be considered sufficient.
How the glasses will be distinguished from regular glasses and how the policy will work in practice remains unclear for now. It remains to be seen whether the decision will set a precedent in other countries for wearable devices with similar recording technologies.