Meta glasses banned from courts in England and Wales

Meta glasses have been banned from courts in England and Wales by His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), following a growing backlash over concerns that the devices are essentially "spyware". The ban came after courts in New York prohibited the use of Meta glasses, citing the potential for surreptitious recording of court proceedings.

HMCTS spokesperson stated that the use of Meta glasses is prohibited within courts and tribunals due to strict restrictions on capturing images or videos. While smartphones are permitted, they must not be used for recording court procedures. Anyone attempting to enter buildings with Meta glasses will have them confiscated and returned upon exiting. This rule is in line with the UK law, which prohibits taking images or videos in court buildings without official permission and can be prosecuted as contempt of court.

The ban has been met with criticism, as smartphones are already allowed in courts but must not be used for recording. In an earlier incident, a claimant was accused by a judge of wearing smart glasses for coaching during a case, though the claimant denied these allegations. Meta, the company behind the glasses, argues that the devices have built-in light indicators and tamper detection technology to prevent misuse, but the ban remains in place.