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England and Wales Ban Meta Glasses from Courtrooms

Engadget •
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Courts in England and Wales have officially banned Meta glasses, according to a report by The Guardian. Anyone attempting to enter court buildings with the glasses will have them confiscated. His Majesty's Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is behind the decision, citing the risk of surreptitious recording. Since cameras are banned in courtrooms, these glasses pose a threat as users can record footage without anyone knowing.

While smartphones have an exception provided they aren't used to record, smart glasses will not receive a similar exemption. One London court incident involved a man accused of being coached during cross-examination via built-in speakers. Beyond legal settings, various UK venues, including Wetherspoons, have banned the devices to prevent non-consensual filming.

This pushback follows concerns regarding privacy and harassment. A University of Sydney study highlighted how content creators use such devices to film women without consent. Despite these controversies, Meta continues to see significant sales, having sold approximately 7 million pairs of Meta Glasses in 2025.