ICE just banned Ray-Ban Meta glasses for agents — here’s why

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has banned employees from wearing Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, citing concerns over privacy and potential misuse of the camera-equipped devices. Acting ICE Director David Venturella instructed employees in a memo to cease using the glasses, which he classified as personal body-worn cameras.

The prohibition applies to all ICE personnel, regardless of whether they are engaged in raids or public interactions, and extends to any personal devices capable of recording audio or video.

According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, this isn't a novel policy; rather, it is an extension of existing regulations prohibiting unauthorized recording and personal body-worn cameras. The concern stems from the possibility that personal devices could lead to unintentional recording and transmission of sensitive information, thereby compromising privacy and legal protections.

Last year, 404 Media highlighted instances where Border Patrol agents were photographed wearing Meta glasses in recording mode, and The Independent reported sightings of DHS agents using the glasses to photograph or record members of the public across multiple states.

The government's apprehension is primarily centered on the lack of control over the footage captured by personal devices, as these recordings could potentially be transmitted to personal phones or filtered through Meta's platform, lacking oversight. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that the Department of Homeland Security is developing its own smart glasses designed for surveilling illegal aliens, which would integrate existing smart glasses with biometric databases and facial recognition technology to identify individuals in real-time.

Despite these concerns, Meta continues to face significant privacy challenges. The company has been sued for privacy violations, including the alleged capture of intimate footage by Meta smart glasses in Kenya. In 2025, Meta filed a patent for AI facial recognition glasses capable of automatic recording and identification. The company has also been accused of tracking Android users without consent, accessing camera rolls without permission for AI training, and displaying personal information in its AI-driven discovery feed.

Furthermore, Meta is currently embroiled in a $1.4 trillion lawsuit over its alleged failure to protect children on its social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.