Smart glasses, including Meta's Ray-Ban models, are now banned from courtrooms in England and Wales under new rules aimed at preventing recording and livestreaming.
New regulations target recording devices
The ban, which took effect immediately, applies to all spectacles with built-in cameras or recording capabilities. Court officials said the measures are necessary to uphold the integrity of legal proceedings and protect the privacy of those involved.
Under the new guidance, anyone wearing such devices in a courtroom will be asked to remove them or leave. Repeat offenses could result in contempt of court proceedings.
Response from tech companies and legal experts
Meta, which markets the Ray-Ban smart glasses, has not commented on the ban. Legal experts have broadly welcomed the move, noting that existing laws on photography and recording in court were not designed for wearable technology.
The decision follows growing concerns about the use of smart glasses to bypass current restrictions, which prohibit taking photos or making recordings in court.
The ban is part of a wider review of technology use in the justice system, with officials examining how other emerging devices might be regulated in the future.
