Meta Smart Glasses Banned from Courts Across England and Wales
August 11, 2026 - 1:47 pm
Credit: TNW
His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has banned Meta smart glasses from court buildings across England and Wales. This move addresses a debate about recording rights within ancient legal frameworks and modern technology.
The Ban:
HMCTS will confiscate and retain Meta smart glasses upon entry to the court, viewing them as covert recording devices. This policy follows similar bans in restaurants, theatres, and pubs, reflecting a growing trend.
"There are clear restrictions on taking images or videos within courts and tribunals which is why the use of Meta glasses is prohibited," said an HMCTS spokesperson.
Recording inside UK court buildings is generally forbidden without permission and can constitute contempt of court. The ban on Meta glasses is less about a new rule and more about enforcing an existing one, as smartphones are permitted as long as they're not used for recording.
The Challenge:
The issue lies in the discreet nature of the smart glasses, making it difficult to identify when they're being used for recording. While New York's courts and others have implemented similar bans, this collision between legal restrictions and technological advancement is gaining global attention.
An incident involving a claimant named Laimonas Jakstys, accused of wearing smart glasses in the High Court and receiving "coaching" through them during testimony, brought this concern to light. The plausibility of a witness being fed lines through an unseen camera raises significant privacy and ethical questions.
Meta's Response:
Meta emphasizes engineering solutions, including a pulsing light indicating recording mode and tamper-proof technology. However, courts prioritize enforcement over technical considerations, leading to the complete ban on the devices.
The broader problem is the disconnect between technology and legal etiquette. Institutions are improvising rules in public as technology advances faster than social norms and laws can adapt.