Meta glasses court ban sparks privacy warning for City businesses

Meta’s smart glasses, described as "creepy spy glasses," have been banned from courts in England and Wales, prompting legal concerns for businesses. His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has prohibited camera glasses on its premises across England and Wales, following a similar decision by pub chain Wetherspoon to ban the devices from its 800+ locations.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has also intervened, after reports uncovered that outsourced contractors in Kenya had viewed intimate footage captured by Meta’s AI smart glasses.

Outsourcing giant EssilorLuxottica, maker of Ray-Ban, reported selling over 7 million AI glasses last year after partnering with Meta in 2020. Meta and Oakley announced their collaboration in 2020, with Meta’s smart glasses hitting the market in October of the same year. As popularity increases, so do safety concerns, and employment lawyers warn businesses to review their workplace policies due to the potential legal risks associated with the wearable technology.

Oliver Milton, a solicitor at TWM, stated that employers must carefully consider the use of smart glasses in the workplace, particularly given the potential for sensitive or embarrassing material to be uploaded to social media almost instantly. Employees should be aware that misusing smart glasses can lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal in serious cases.

Milton noted that while smart glasses could be considered a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010, businesses need to address privacy concerns and evolving workplace culture. He concluded that businesses must adapt their policies now to avoid potential disputes later, as wearable technology is evolving rapidly.