HMCTS Bans Meta Glasses From Courts, Seizing Devices Costing Up to £469
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 11
HMCTS Bans Meta Glasses From Courts, Seizing Devices Costing Up to £469
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 11
Summary
England and Wales courts will confiscate Meta glasses at entry and return them on exit, HMCTS said, making clear the devices are barred from all judicial buildings.
HMCTS said the ban reflects strict limits on taking images or video in courts and tribunals, where unauthorized recording can amount to contempt of court.
The move singles out smart glasses even though smartphones are still allowed inside on the condition they are not used to record proceedings.
A high court judge earlier this year accused a witness of using smart glasses to receive coaching during testimony, while New York courts imposed a similar ban last month.
Meta sold 7 million pairs last year at £269 to £469, but the glasses have faced widening backlash from UK venues over covert-recording and privacy fears.